Upper limb · Shoulder girdle
Scapula
The scapula is the flat, triangular shoulder blade on the posterolateral chest wall. It carries the glenoid cavity for the head of the humerus and is held to the trunk almost entirely by muscles.
- Latin (TA)
- Scapula
- Type
- Flat bone: a thin triangular plate that gives broad surfaces for muscle attachment, with thickened processes
- Side
- Paired — right and left
- Model size
- 16.4 cm longest
Showing a right bone. Rotate it to inspect every surface; switch sides to practise siding.
3D model: Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0), derived from BodyParts3D © DBCLS (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). Adapted by PharmaWallah. Credits & licence
Landmarks
23 of 23 marked on the modelTap a landmark to find it on the bone and read what it is.
The anterior, concave surface of the body.
Where: Front of the body, facing the ribs.
Why it matters: Its concavity is the subscapular fossa; tells you which side is anterior.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The shallow concavity occupying most of the costal surface.
Where: Anterior (costal) surface of the body.
Why it matters: Origin of subscapularis.
Related: Subscapularis (origin)
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The dorsal surface, divided by the spine into two fossae.
Where: Back of the body.
Why it matters: Carries the spine; tells you which side is posterior.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A thick ridge of bone projecting from the posterior surface.
Where: Runs from the medial border laterally across the upper part of the posterior surface, ending as the acromion.
Why it matters: Divides the posterior surface into supraspinous and infraspinous fossae; gives insertion to trapezius and origin to deltoid.
Viva: Which muscles attach to the spine of the scapula?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The smaller fossa above the spine.
Where: Posterior surface, above the spine.
Why it matters: Origin of supraspinatus.
Related: Supraspinatus (origin)
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The larger fossa below the spine.
Where: Posterior surface, below the spine.
Why it matters: Origin of infraspinatus.
Related: Infraspinatus (origin)
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The flattened lateral end of the spine, forming the point of the shoulder.
Where: Lateral end of the spine, overhanging the glenoid cavity.
Why it matters: Articulates with the clavicle; gives origin to deltoid and insertion to trapezius; forms the roof of the shoulder with the coracoacromial ligament.
Related: Acromioclavicular joint
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A small oval facet on the medial border of the acromion.
Where: Medial margin of the acromion, anteriorly.
Why it matters: Articulates with the acromial end of the clavicle.
Related: Acromioclavicular joint
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A hook-like process projecting forwards from the upper border near the lateral angle.
Where: Superior border, lateral to the suprascapular notch, curving anteriorly and laterally below the clavicle.
Why it matters: Attachment of pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis and the short head of biceps, and of the coracoclavicular, coracoacromial and coracohumeral ligaments.
Viva: Name three muscles attached to the coracoid process.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The shallow, pear-shaped articular cavity on the lateral angle.
Where: Lateral angle, facing laterally (and slightly forwards and upwards).
Why it matters: Articulates with the head of the humerus at the glenohumeral joint; deepened by the glenoid labrum.
Related: Glenohumeral joint
Viva: Why is the shoulder joint mobile but unstable?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A small tubercle just above the glenoid cavity.
Where: Upper margin of the glenoid cavity.
Why it matters: Origin of the long head of biceps brachii.
Related: Biceps brachii, long head (origin)
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A roughened tubercle just below the glenoid cavity.
Where: Lower margin of the glenoid cavity, at the top of the lateral border.
Why it matters: Origin of the long head of triceps brachii.
Related: Triceps brachii, long head (origin)
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The thick lateral angle of the triangle (sometimes called the head), carrying the glenoid cavity.
Where: Upper lateral corner of the body.
Why it matters: The thickest part of the scapula; bears the glenoid cavity.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The angle between the superior and medial borders.
Where: Upper medial corner.
Why it matters: Levator scapulae inserts on the medial border from the superior angle down to the root of the spine.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The lowest point of the scapula, where the medial and lateral borders meet.
Where: Lower end of the body.
Why it matters: Palpable surface landmark (it lies roughly at the level of the seventh thoracic spine with the arm by the side); teres major arises from the dorsal surface near it.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The short, thin upper border.
Where: Top of the body, from the superior angle to the coracoid process.
Why it matters: Carries the suprascapular notch; the inferior belly of omohyoid arises near the notch.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A notch in the superior border at the base of the coracoid process.
Where: Lateral end of the superior border, just medial to the coracoid process.
Why it matters: Bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament; the suprascapular nerve passes below the ligament, the suprascapular artery above it.
Viva: What passes through the suprascapular notch?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The long border facing the vertebral column.
Where: Medial edge of the body, from the superior to the inferior angle.
Why it matters: Insertion of levator scapulae, rhomboid minor and rhomboid major (posteriorly) and serratus anterior (on its costal aspect).
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The thick border running from the glenoid cavity to the inferior angle.
Where: Lateral edge of the body, facing the axilla.
Why it matters: Teres minor arises from the dorsal surface along its upper part; teres major nearer the inferior angle.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
Classification & region
Flat bone: a thin triangular plate that gives broad surfaces for muscle attachment, with thickened processes (spine, acromion, coracoid) and a lateral articular angle.
- Body
- Triangular plate with costal (anterior) and posterior surfaces, three borders and three angles.
- Spine and acromion
- Ridge projecting from the posterior surface, ending laterally as the flat acromion.
- Coracoid process
- Hook-like process projecting forwards from the upper border, lateral to the suprascapular notch.
- Lateral angle (head), neck and glenoid cavity
- Thick lateral angle carrying the shallow glenoid cavity, joined to the body by the neck.
Hold it in the anatomical position
- Hold the bone with the glenoid cavity facing laterally and the inferior angle pointing downwards.
- The spine and acromion are on the posterior surface; the concave costal surface faces forwards against the ribs.
- The coracoid process points forwards, and the acromion projects laterally above the glenoid cavity.
Right or left? Side determination
- Lateral: the glenoid cavity faces laterally.
- Posterior: the spine of the scapula projects from the posterior surface; the smooth concave costal (subscapular) surface is anterior.
- Superior: the acromion and coracoid process are at the upper end; the inferior angle points down.
- With the glenoid lateral and the spine posterior, the side of the body on which the glenoid lies is the side of the bone.
Check yourself: switch the 3D model to “Left bone” and apply the same steps.
Articulations
- With the head of humerus at the Glenohumeral (shoulder) joint — Glenoid cavity..
- With the acromial end of clavicle at the Acromioclavicular joint — Clavicular facet on the medial border of the acromion..
- With the posterior thoracic wall at the Scapulothoracic "joint" (a functional gliding plane, not a true joint) — Costal surface, separated from the ribs by subscapularis and serratus anterior..
Muscle and ligament attachments
| Structure | Type | Where on the bone |
|---|---|---|
| Subscapularis | origin | Subscapular fossa. |
| Supraspinatus | origin | Supraspinous fossa. |
| Infraspinatus | origin | Infraspinous fossa. |
| Teres minor | origin | Dorsal surface along the upper part of the lateral border. |
| Teres major | origin | Dorsal surface near the inferior angle. |
| Deltoid | origin | Lateral border of the acromion and lower lip of the crest of the spine. |
| Biceps brachii, long head | origin | Supraglenoid tubercle. |
| Biceps brachii, short head, and coracobrachialis | origin | Tip of the coracoid process. |
| Triceps brachii, long head | origin | Infraglenoid tubercle. |
| Omohyoid, inferior belly | origin | Superior border near the suprascapular notch. |
| Trapezius | insertion | Medial border of the acromion and upper lip of the crest of the spine. |
| Pectoralis minor | insertion | Coracoid process. |
| Levator scapulae | insertion | Medial border, from the superior angle to the root of the spine. |
| Rhomboid minor | insertion | Medial border at the root of the spine. |
| Rhomboid major | insertion | Medial border below the root of the spine to the inferior angle. |
| Serratus anterior | insertion | Costal surface of the medial border, from the superior to the inferior angle. |
| Coracoclavicular, coracoacromial and coracohumeral ligaments | ligament | Coracoid process. |
| Superior transverse scapular ligament | ligament | Bridges the suprascapular notch. |
| Glenoid labrum and glenohumeral capsule | ligament | Margin of the glenoid cavity. |
Functions
- Provides the socket (glenoid cavity) for the shoulder joint.
- Gives broad attachment to the rotator cuff and to the muscles that move and stabilise the shoulder girdle.
- Moves on the chest wall (elevation, depression, protraction, retraction and rotation), which greatly increases the range of arm movement.
- Links the upper limb to the clavicle and, through it, to the axial skeleton.
Clinical & practical relevance
- Winged scapula: injury to the long thoracic nerve paralyses serratus anterior, so the medial border lifts off the chest wall, most obvious when pushing against a wall.
- The suprascapular nerve can be compressed in the suprascapular notch or the spinoglenoid notch, weakening supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus.
- Scapular fractures are relatively uncommon because the bone is protected by thick muscle; they usually result from high-energy trauma.
- The inferior angle and the spine are palpable surface landmarks used in clinical examination.
Identification tips
- The glenoid cavity is the most important single feature: it always faces laterally.
- The spine is on the back. If you are looking at a smooth concave surface with no spine, you are looking at the front.
- The coracoid process looks like a bent finger pointing forwards; the acromion is a flat shelf over the glenoid.
- Biceps above, triceps below: the long head of biceps comes from the supraglenoid tubercle, the long head of triceps from the infraglenoid tubercle.
Common student mistakes
- Holding the bone with the spine facing forwards.
- Mixing up the coracoid process and the acromion: the acromion is the end of the spine; the coracoid arises from the superior border.
- Saying the suprascapular artery passes below the transverse scapular ligament: the artery passes above, the nerve below.
- Placing teres major on the upper lateral border: it arises near the inferior angle; teres minor is above it.
Common exam questions
How do you side a scapula?Show answer
Glenoid cavity lateral, spine posterior, acromion and coracoid superior, inferior angle down.
What passes through the suprascapular notch?Show answer
The suprascapular nerve, under the superior transverse scapular ligament; the artery passes above the ligament.
Which muscles form the rotator cuff, and where do they arise on the scapula?Show answer
Supraspinatus (supraspinous fossa), infraspinatus (infraspinous fossa), teres minor (lateral border, dorsal surface) and subscapularis (subscapular fossa).
What arises from the supraglenoid and infraglenoid tubercles?Show answer
Long head of biceps (supraglenoid) and long head of triceps (infraglenoid).
Which nerve injury causes a winged scapula?Show answer
The long thoracic nerve, which supplies serratus anterior.
Name the muscles attached to the coracoid process.Show answer
Pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis and the short head of biceps brachii.
What type of bone is the scapula?Show answer
A flat bone.
Revision summary
- Flat, triangular bone: 2 surfaces, 3 borders, 3 angles.
- Glenoid lateral, spine posterior, inferior angle down.
- Fossae: subscapular (front), supraspinous and infraspinous (back).
- Coracoid: pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, short head of biceps.
- Supraglenoid: long head biceps; infraglenoid: long head triceps.
- Suprascapular notch: nerve below the ligament, artery above.
- Long thoracic nerve injury: winged scapula.
Test yourself on the scapula
Spotting questions on bones, sides and landmarks — untimed, with explanations.
Joints of the scapula
References
- Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2023.
- Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2023.
- Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT). Terminologia Anatomica. 2nd ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca; 2019. fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2
- Kervyn G, Zielinski M, Vinent L, et al. Z-Anatomy: the libre 3D atlas of anatomy. Models derived from BodyParts3D, The Database Center for Life Science (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). CC BY-SA 4.0. www.z-anatomy.com/
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