Suprascapular notch morphometric study

Abstract

Relevance. The suprascapular notch is one of the most crucial areas of the scapula from a clinical standpoint. Aside from its anatomical relevance, the suprascapular notch type may also have some clinical implications for suprascapular nerve entrapment. Aim of the study was the determination of the different dimensions of the suprascapular notch based on the maximum depth (MD) and superior transverse diameter (STD), as well as the clinical relation between those dimensions and suprascapular nerve entrapment. Materials and Methods. The study’s materials were 100 unknown dry human scapulae from the from the anatomy department of the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan. Each scapula was studied for suprascapular notch. From each of the scapulae, maximum depth and superior transverse diameter were determined. Fifty were from right side and Fifty were from left side. Different types of suprascapular notches were observed based on maximum depth and superior transverse diameter. Results and Discussion. In this study, the overall percentage distribution frequency of the suprascapular notch in 100 scapulae is MD STD (25 %), MD = STD (0 %), STD MD (60 %) and SSN Absent (15 %) respectively. The most common SSN type is STD MD (60 %) type and least common SSN type is MD = STD (0 %) type. Conclusion. Morphological examination of the scapular notch reveals a common site of nerve compression and also demonstrates the surgical importance of the scapular nerve during shoulder surgery.

Keywords

• suprascapular notch
• morphometry
• entrapment
• maximal depth
• superior transverse diameter