Athena Vale
The suprascapular nerve is a branch of the superior trunk of the brachial plexus, which provides motor and sensory innervation to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. These muscles are part of the muscle group called the rotator cuff muscles, which act together to stabilize and steer the humeral head within the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint during various movements of the upper limb. The suprascapular nerve originates in the posterior triangle of the neck and runs laterally and parallel to the belly of the omohyoid muscle. It passes under the suprascapular ligament and enters the supraspinous fossa, where it provides innervation to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
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What You'll Learn
The suprascapular nerve
The nerve provides sensory innervation to the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints. It also provides motor innervation to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, which are two of the four muscles that make up the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint. The supraspinatus muscle aids in the abduction of the arm, while the infraspinatus muscle externally rotates the arm.
The suprascapular artery and vein accompany the suprascapular nerve to provide its blood supply. The suprascapular artery can be a branch of the thyrocervical trunk or a direct branch of the subclavian artery.
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The supraspinatus muscle
The suprascapular artery and vein accompany the suprascapular nerve, providing the blood supply to the nerve and the muscle. The suprascapular artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk or a direct branch of the subclavian artery. It passes through the suprascapular notch, along with the suprascapular nerve, to supply the supraspinatus muscle. Additionally, the supraspinatus muscle sometimes receives a collateral blood supply via the dorsal scapular artery.
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The infraspinatus muscle
The main function of the infraspinatus muscle is to externally rotate the humerus and stabilize the glenohumeral, or shoulder, joint. When the arm is abducted, the infraspinatus works with the teres minor to oppose the upward pull of the deltoid muscle and stabilize the humeral head against the glenoid fossa, preventing its upward displacement.
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The rotator cuff
The suprascapularis muscle is located in the subscapular fossa of the scapula. It is a rotator cuff muscle that is responsible for the internal rotation of the arm and stabilization of the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is a group of four distinct muscles and their tendons that provide strength and stability to the shoulder complex during motion. These muscles are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. They are also referred to as the SITS muscle, with reference to the first letter of each of their names.
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The subscapular fossa
The subscapularis muscle is responsible for internal rotation of the arm and stabilization of the shoulder joint. It attaches between the scapula and the proximal humerus, or upper arm bone, and inserts into the lesser tubercle of the humerus, a bony protrusion on the upper arm bone. The muscle's fibres pass laterally from its origin, or attachment point on the scapula, and gradually narrow towards a round tendon that courses towards the proximal humerus.
The subscapularis tendon lies approximately 3 to 5 cm under the surface and is continuous with the tendon of the teres major muscle. These two muscles share the same innervation and actions and are often considered a functional muscular unit. The subscapularis is supplied by the upper and lower subscapular nerves, which provide motor and sensory functions to the muscle.
The subscapularis muscle also participates in the formation of three intermuscular axillary spaces: the quadrangular space, the upper triangular space, and the lower triangular space. These spaces are traversed by nerves, arteries, and veins that are important for upper limb function. The subscapularis is an important stabilizer of the shoulder joint and helps to prevent dislocation of the humerus during movements of the upper limb.
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Frequently asked questions
The suprascapularis muscle is located in the subscapular fossa of the scapula.
The suprascapularis muscle is a large, triangular muscle.
The suprascapularis muscle is one of the four rotator cuff muscles, responsible for the internal rotation of the arm and stabilization of the shoulder joint.
The suprascapularis tendon lies 3 to 5 cm under the surface, which can be examined using ultrasonography with a 5 MHz linear applicator.
