The scapula is a mobile, flat, triangular bone located on the back of the body that overlays the 2nd to 7th ribs, with distinctive surfaces, borders, and angles. It provides attachment points for various muscles, including four rotator cuff muscles that aid in arm movement, and has specific origins and insertions for each muscle associated with it. The document details the anatomy of the scapula and its muscular attachments, including their actions and nerve supplies.

1. The Scapula

2. The Scapula
The scapula is a highly
mobile bone that is
situated on the posterior
aspect of the body

3. The Scapula
The scapula is best viewed
from behind
There are 2 scapulae, one on
either side of the spinal
column

4. The Scapula
The scapula is best viewed
from behind
There are 2 scapulae one on
either side of the spinal
column
Each overlies the 2nd
– 7th
ribs

5. The Scapula
Anterior View
The scapula is a flat
triangular-shaped bone
It has a number of
interesting projections
Right Side

6. The Scapula
The scapula is a flat
triangular-shaped bone
It has a number of
interesting projections
best viewed from the lateral aspect
Lateral View
AnteriorPosterior
Right Side

7. The Scapula
The scapula has two surfaces

8. The Scapula
Anterior / Ventral surface
The scapula has two surfaces
Right Side

9. The Scapula
Anterior / Ventral surface Posterior / Dorsal Surface
The scapula has two surfaces
Right Side

10. The Scapula
The Dorsal surface of the Scapula is divided into
two regions by the spine of the Scapula
Right Side

11. The Scapula
The region below the
Scapular Spine is the
Infraspinous Fossa
Right Side

12. The Scapula
The region above the
Scapular Spine is the
Supraspinous Fossa
Posterior View
Right Side

13. The Scapula
Supraspinous Fossa is more clearly
viewed from above Anterior
Posterior
Superior View
Right Side

14. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Medial Border
Anterior View
Right Side

15. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Medial Border
Anterior View Posterior View
Right Side

16. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Lateral Border
Anterior View
Right Side

17. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Lateral Border
Anterior View Posterior View
Right Side

18. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Anterior View
Superior Border

19. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 borders
Superior Border
Anterior View Posterior View

20. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 angles
Superior Angle
Anterior View

21. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 angles
Superior Angle
Anterior View Posterior View

22. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 angles
Inferior Angle
Anterior View

23. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 angles
Inferior Angle
Anterior View Posterior View

24. The Scapula
Anterior View
The scapula has 3 angles
Lateral

25. The Scapula
Lateral ViewAnterior View
The scapula has 3 angles
Lateral

26. The Scapula
Anterior
Posterior
Superior View
The scapula has 3 angles
Lateral

27. The Scapula
The scapula has 3 lateral projections
Coracoid
Spine
Acromion

28. The Scapula
Coracoid Process
Anterior View

29. The Scapula
Anterior View Lateral View
Coracoid Process

30. The Scapula
Anterior
Posterior
Superior View
CoracoidCoracoid Process

31. The Scapula
Posterior View
Spine

32. The Scapula
Acromion
Posterior View

33. The Scapula
Acromion
Posterior View Lateral View

34. The Scapula
Acromion
Anterior
Posterior
Superior View

35. The Scapula
Muscles

36. The Scapula
A number of muscles attach to the scapula

37. The Scapula
A number of muscles attach to the scapula
Four Rotator Cuff Muscles surround the
Shoulder Joint and move the Arm

38. The Scapula
A number of muscles attach to the scapula
Four Rotator Cuff Muscles surround the
Shoulder Joint and move the Arm
Subscapularis
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres Minor

39. The Scapula
Subscapularis arises from the whole of
the ventral surface of the Scapula

40. The Scapula
Subscapularis arises from the whole of
the ventral surface of the scapula
It attaches to the Lesser
Tuberosity of the Humerus
It internally rotates the
arm

41. The Scapula
The region above the
Scapular Spine is the
Supraspinous Fossa

42. The Scapula
Supraspinatus arises from the Supraspinous Fossa
It attaches to the
upper part of the
Greater Tuberosity
of the Humerus
It abducts the arm

43. The Scapula
Infraspinatus arises from the Infraspinous Fossa

44. The Scapula
Infraspinatus arises from the Infraspinous Fossa
It attaches to the
posterior part of the
Greater Tuberosity of
the Humerus
It externally rotates
the arm

45. The Scapula
Teres Minor arises from the upper part of the
Lateral Border of the Scapula

46. The Scapula
Teres Minor arises from the upper part of the
Lateral Border of the Scapula
It attaches to the
Inferior part of the
Greater Tuberosity of
the Proximal Humerus
It externally rotates
the arm

47. Anterior View
Serratus Anterior arises from the whole of the
anterior aspect of the medial border

48. Anterior View
Serratus Anterior arises from the whole of the
anterior aspect of the medial border

49. Anterior View
Long head of Triceps arises from the
infraglenoid tubercle

50. Anterior View
Long head of Triceps arises from the
infraglenoid tubercle

51. Anterior View
The tip of the coracoid process

52. Anterior View
The tip of the coracoid process give rise to the
conjoint tendon of the Coracobrachialis

53. Anterior View
The tip of the coracoid process give rise to the
conjoint tendon of the Coracobrachialis and
Short Head of Biceps

54. Anterior View
Pectoralis minor arises from the coracoid process

55. Anterior View
Pectoralis minor arises from the coracoid process

56. Posterior
View

57. Posterior
View
Levator Scapulae attaches to the superior part of the
medial border of the scapula

58. Posterior
View
Levator Scapulae attaches to the superior part of the
medial border of the scapula

59. Posterior
View
Rhomboid minor attaches just below
Levator Scapulae on the medial border

60. Posterior
View
Rhomboid minor attaches just below
Levator Scapulae on the medial border

61. Posterior
View
Rhomboid Major attaches just below Rhomboid Minor
on the medial border of the scapula

62. Posterior
View
Rhomboid Major attaches just below Rhomboid Minor
on the medial border of the scapula

63. Posterior
View
Latissimus Dorsi has a few fibres that arise from the
inferior angle of the scapula

64. Posterior
View
Latissimus Dorsi has a few fibres that arise from the
inferior angle of the scapula

65. Posterior
View
Teres Major arises from the inferior aspect of the
lateral border of the scapula

66. Posterior
View
Teres Major arises from the inferior aspect of the
lateral border of the scapula

67. Posterior
View
Teres Major arises from the inferior aspect of the
lateral border of the scapula, just below Teres Minor

68. Posterior
View
Trapezius arises from the superior aspect of the
spine of the scapula

69. Posterior
View
Trapezius arises from the superior aspect of the
spine of the scapula

70. Posterior
View
The posterior fibres of Deltoid arise from the inferior
aspect spine of the scapula

71. Posterior
View
The posterior fibres of Deltoid arise from the inferior
aspect spine of the scapula

72. Summary of muscles that arise from the scapula
Biceps (both heads)
Coracobrachialis
Deltoid
Infraspinatus
Levator Scapulae
Latissimus Dorsi
Pectoralis Minor
Rhomboid Major
Rhomboid Minor
Serratus Anterior
Subscapularis
Supraspinatus
Triceps (Long Head)
Teres Major
Teres Minor
Trapezius

73. Anterior Arm
Biceps Brachii
Origin Short head: tip of coracoid
process of scapula; Long head:
supraglenoid tubercle of
scapula
Insertion Tuberosity of radius and fascia
of forearm via bicipital
aponeurosis
Action Supinates and flexes forearm
Nerve Supply Musculocutaneous nerve (C5
and C6)
Blood Supply Muscular branches of brachial
artery

74. Anterior Arm
Coracobrachialis
Origin Tip of coracoid process of
scapula
Insertion Upper half of medial surface of
humerus
Action Flexes and adducts arm
Nerve Supply Musculocutaneous nerve (C5,
C6)
Blood Supply Muscular branches of brachial
artery

75. Deltoid
Origin Lateral third of clavicle,
acromion, and spine of scapula
Insertion Deltoid tuberosity of humerus
Action Anterior part: flexes and
internally rotates arm; Middle
part: abducts arm; Posterior
part: extends and externally
rotates arm
Nerve Supply Axillary nerve (C5 and C6)
Blood Supply Deltoid branch of
thoracoacromial artery
Posterior Chest Wall

76. Posterior Chest Wall
Infraspinatus
Origin Infraspinous fossa of scapula
Insertion Middle facet on greater
tuberosity of humerus
Action Externally rotates arm
Nerve Supply Suprascapular nerve (C5 and
C6)
Blood Supply Suprascapular and circumflex
scapular arteries

77. Posterior Chest Wall
Levator Scapulae
Origin Posterior tubercles of
transverse processes of C1 - C4
vertebrae
Insertion Superior part of medial border
of scapula
Action Elevates scapula and tilts
glenoid inferiorly by rotating
scapula
Nerve Supply Dorsal scapular (C5) and
cervical (C3 and C4) nerves
Blood Supply Dorsal scapular artery

78. Posterior Chest Wall
Latissimus Dorsi
Origin Spinous processes of inferior 6
thoracic vertebrae,
thoracolumbar fascia, iliac
crest, and inferior 3 or 4 ribs,
inferior angle of scapula
Insertion Floor of intertubercular groove
of humerus
Action Extends, adducts, and
internally rotates humerus;
pulls body up toward arms
during climbing
Nerve Supply Thoracodorsal nerve (C6, C7,
and C8)
Blood Supply Thoracodorsal artery

79. Anterior Chest Wall
Pectoralis Minor
Origin 3rd to 5th ribs near their costal
cartilages
Insertion Medial border and superior
surface of coracoid process of
scapula
Action Stabilises scapula, pulls it
inferiorly and anteriorly
against thoracic wall
Nerve Supply Medial pectoral nerves; (C8
and T1)
Blood Supply Pectoral branch of the
thoracoacromial trunk

80. Posterior Chest Wall
Rhomboid Minor
Origin Nuchal ligament and spinous
processes of C7 and T1
vertebrae;
Insertion Medial border of scapula
adjacent to spine
Action Retracts and rotates scapula to
move glenoid inferiorly; fixes
scapula to thoracic wall
Nerve Supply Dorsal scapular nerve ( C4 and
C5)
Blood Supply Dorsal scapular artery

81. Posterior Chest Wall
Rhomboid Major
Origin Spinous processes of T2 - T5
vertebrae
Insertion Medial border of scapula
Action Retracts and rotates scapula to
move glenoid inferiorly; fixes
scapula to thoracic wall
Nerve Supply Dorsal scapular nerve ( C4 and
C5)
Blood Supply Dorsal scapular artery

82. Anterior Chest Wall
Serratus Anterior
Origin Superolateral surfaces of
upper 8 or 9 ribs at the side of
chest
Insertion Medial border of scapula
Action Pulls scapula forward and
upward; abducts and rotates
it; stabilises medial border of
scapula
Nerve Supply Long thoracic nerve (C5, C6,
C7)
Blood Supply Circumflex scapular artery

83. Subscapularis
Origin Subscapular fossa of scapula
Insertion Lesser tuberosity of humerus
Action Internal rotation and
adduction of the arm
Nerve Supply Upper and lower subscapular
nerves (C5, C6 and C7)
Blood Supply Subscapular artery
Anterior Chest Wall

84. Posterior Chest Wall
Supraspinatus
Origin Supraspinous fossa of scapula
Insertion Superior facet on greater
tuberosity of humerus
Action Abduction of arm
Nerve Supply Suprascapular nerve (C4, C5
and C6)
Blood Supply Suprascapular artery

85. Triceps
Origin Long head: infraglenoid
tubercle of scapula; Lateral
head: posterior surface of
humerus, superior to radial
groove; Medial head: posterior
surface of humerus, inferior to
radial groove
Insertion Proximal end of olecranon
process of ulna and fascia of
forearm
Action Extends forearm
Nerve Supply Radial nerve (C6, C7 and C8)
Blood Supply Branches of deep brachial
artery
Posterior Arm

86. Posterior Chest Wall
Teres Major
Origin Dorsal surface of inferior angle
of scapula
Insertion Medial lip of intertubercular
groove of humerus
Action Adducts and internally rotates
arm
Nerve Supply Lower subscapular nerve (C6
and C7)
Blood Supply Subscapular and circumflex
scapular arteries

87. Posterior Chest Wall
Teres Minor
Origin Superior part of lateral border
of scapula
Insertion Inferior facet on greater
tuberosity of humerus
Action External rotation of the arm
Nerve Supply Axillary nerve (C5 and C6)
Blood Supply Subscapular and circumflex
scapular arteries

88. Posterior Chest Wall
Trapezius
Origin Medial third of superior nuchal
line; external occipital
protruberance, nuchal ligament,
and spinous processes of C7 - T12
vertebrae
Insertion Lateral third of clavicle, acromion,
and spine of scapula
Action superior fibers elevate, middle
fibers retract, and inferior fibers
depress scapula
Nerve Supply Spinal root of accessory nerve (CN
XI) (motor) and cervical nerves (C3
and C4) (pain and proprioception)
Blood Supply Transverse cervical artery