Also called: shoulder blade
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a flat triangular bone on the back of the thorax. It carries the glenoid cavity for the humerus, the acromion that articulates with the clavicle and the coracoid process. Its posterior surface has a spine dividing the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae.
| Type | Flat bone. |
|---|---|
| Location | Posterior thorax, overlying ribs 2 to 7. |
| Landmarks | Spine, acromion, coracoid process, glenoid cavity, supraspinous fossa, infraspinous fossa, subscapular fossa, superior, inferior and lateral angles, medial and lateral borders, infraglenoid and supraglenoid tubercles. |
| Articulations | Humerus (glenohumeral joint) and clavicle (acromioclavicular joint). |
| Muscle attachments | Rotator cuff muscles, teres major, deltoid, trapezius, rhomboids, levator scapulae, serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, biceps and triceps. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The scapula glides over the thoracic wall and has no bony connection to the trunk except through the clavicle, which gives the shoulder its mobility.
The spine, acromion, coracoid process, glenoid cavity and the supraspinous, infraspinous and subscapular fossae.
Only by muscles and by the acromioclavicular joint with the clavicle.
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