Latin Spina scapulae TA A02.4.01.005 | Dorlands
/Elsevier s_18/12749381 FMA 13453 | |
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The spine of the scapula or scapular spine is a prominent plate of bone, which crosses obliquely the medial four-fifths of the scapula at its upper part, and separates the supra- from the infraspinatous fossa.
Contents
Structure
It begins at the vertical border by a smooth, triangular area over which the tendon of insertion of the lower part of the Trapezius glides, and, gradually becoming more elevated, ends in the acromion, which overhangs the shoulder-joint.
The spine is triangular, and flattened from above downward, its apex being directed toward the vertebral border.
Root
The root of the spine of the scapula is the most medial part of the scapular spine. The root of the spine is on a level with the tip of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
Function
It presents two surfaces and three borders.
Of the three borders, the anterior is attached to the dorsal surface of the bone; the posterior, or crest of the spine, is broad, and presents two lips and an intervening rough interval.
The lateral border, or base, the shortest of the three, is slightly concave; its edge, thick and round, is continuous above with the under surface of the acromion, below with the neck of the scapula. It forms the medial boundary of the great scapular notch, which serves to connect the supra- and infraspinatous fossae.