The Male Lesser Supraclavicular Fossa

Description

Beginning at the root of the adult male neck, the lesser supraclavicular fossa (fossa supraclavicularis minor) appears as a shallow depression immediately superior to the medial end of the clavicle, lying between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Medial to this surface landmark sits the manubrium and sternoclavicular joint, while the midline trachea and thyroid gland are deeper and slightly posterior. Inferiorly the clavicle forms the bony floor of the region, and laterally the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid slopes toward the lateral neck. A small hollow, but a reliable one. Palpation of the lesser supraclavicular fossa helps orient bedside examination at the cervicothoracic junction, where subtle asymmetry can signal local pathology or altered muscle tone. Clinicians often use this area as a surface reference when tracing the course of the internal jugular vein deep to sternocleidomastoid and when identifying the sternoclavicular joint, a frequent source of traumatic pain after falls or contact sports. Because the fossa is bounded by the two SCM heads, it also anchors teaching of the cervical fascial planes that influence the spread of infection from the neck into the superior mediastinum. Use this artwork in anatomy and physical diagnosis courses to teach surface anatomy of the medial clavicle and sternocleidomastoid, or in clinical skills manuals illustrating neck inspection and palpation landmarks. It also suits patient education and exam checklists where clear identification of the supraclavicular hollows supports consistent documentation of neck findings. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.