Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 4/2019

15.12.2018 | Original Article

Classification of the superior angle of the scapula and its correlation with the suprascapular notch: a study on 303 scapulas

verfasst von: Lei Zhang, Xiaoguang Guo, Yang Liu, Min Ou, Xiaoyan Lin, Ji Qi, Yanxiao Xu, Guoyou Wang, Shijie Fu

Erschienen in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Ausgabe 4/2019

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study had been to classify the superior angle of the scapula based on morphological features, and to investigate its correlation with the suprascapular notch.

Methods

303 samples of Chinese dried scapular specimens were collected from the Department of anatomy, Southwest Medical University. According to the anatomical morphological characteristics of the superior angle of the scapula, the morphological classification was performed to explore its correlation with the suprascapular notch (SSN).

Results

The superior angle of the scapula was classified into three types (Hilly shape, Mountain Peak shape and Chimney shape). There were 143 cases of Hilly shape (47.20%), 144 cases of Mountain shape (47.52%), and 16 cases of Chimney shape (5.28%). The angle of Hilly shape (93.36° ± 7.76°) was significantly larger than the Mountain Peak shape (86.60° ± 6.61°) and the Chimney shape (86.22° ± 7.20°), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The type I–III of Rengachary’s classification to SSN was low risk of suprascapular nerve entrapment, while the type IV–VI was high risk of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Compared with the Mountain Peak shape and the Chimney shape, the Hilly shape corresponds to more types I–III of suprascapular notch but to fewer types IV–VI (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The superior angle of the scapula was divided into three types: Hilly shape (47.20%), Mountain Peak shape (47.52%) and Chimney shape (5.28%). The Mountain Peak shape might be more likely to result in inability of the levator muscle with acute or chronic overload mechanisms, and the risk of suprascapular nerve entrapment in Mountain peak shape was higher than that of Hilly shape. And, it might have a potential effect on neck pain.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Agrawal D, Singh B, Dixit SG, Ghatak S, Bharadwaj N, Gupta R et al (2015) Morphometry and variations of the human suprascapular notch. Morphologie 99(327):132–140CrossRefPubMed Agrawal D, Singh B, Dixit SG, Ghatak S, Bharadwaj N, Gupta R et al (2015) Morphometry and variations of the human suprascapular notch. Morphologie 99(327):132–140CrossRefPubMed
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Bruce J, Dorizas J (2013) Suprascapular nerve entrapment due to a stenotic foramen: a variant of the suprascapular notch. Sports Health 5(4):363–366CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Bruce J, Dorizas J (2013) Suprascapular nerve entrapment due to a stenotic foramen: a variant of the suprascapular notch. Sports Health 5(4):363–366CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Beger O, Dinç U, Beger B, Uzmansel D, Kurtoğlu Z (2018) Morphometric properties of the levator scapulae, rhomboid major, and rhomboid minor in human fetuses. Surg Radiol Anat 40(4):449–455CrossRefPubMed Beger O, Dinç U, Beger B, Uzmansel D, Kurtoğlu Z (2018) Morphometric properties of the levator scapulae, rhomboid major, and rhomboid minor in human fetuses. Surg Radiol Anat 40(4):449–455CrossRefPubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Chotai PN, Loukas M, Tubbs RS (2015) Unusual origin of the levator scapulae muscle from mastoid process. Surg Radiol Anat 37(10):1277–1281CrossRefPubMed Chotai PN, Loukas M, Tubbs RS (2015) Unusual origin of the levator scapulae muscle from mastoid process. Surg Radiol Anat 37(10):1277–1281CrossRefPubMed
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Cirpan S, Gocmen-Mas N, Aksu F, Edizer M, Karabekir S, Magden AO (2016) Suprascapular foramen: a rare variation caused by ossified suprascapular ligaments. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 75(1):21–26CrossRef Cirpan S, Gocmen-Mas N, Aksu F, Edizer M, Karabekir S, Magden AO (2016) Suprascapular foramen: a rare variation caused by ossified suprascapular ligaments. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 75(1):21–26CrossRef
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Jezierski H, Wysiadecki G, Sibiński M, Borowski A, Podgórski M, Topol M et al (2016) A quantitative study of the arrangement of the suprascapular nerve and vessels in the suprascapular notch region: new findings based on parametric analysis. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 75(4):454–459CrossRef Jezierski H, Wysiadecki G, Sibiński M, Borowski A, Podgórski M, Topol M et al (2016) A quantitative study of the arrangement of the suprascapular nerve and vessels in the suprascapular notch region: new findings based on parametric analysis. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 75(4):454–459CrossRef
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Ludig T, Walter F, Chapuis D, Molé D, Roland J, Blum A (2001) MR imaging evaluation of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Eur Radiol 11(11):2161–2169CrossRefPubMed Ludig T, Walter F, Chapuis D, Molé D, Roland J, Blum A (2001) MR imaging evaluation of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Eur Radiol 11(11):2161–2169CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Menachem A, Kaplan O, Dekel S (1993) Levator scapulae syndrome: an anatomic-clinical study. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 53(1):21–24PubMed Menachem A, Kaplan O, Dekel S (1993) Levator scapulae syndrome: an anatomic-clinical study. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 53(1):21–24PubMed
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Natsis K, Totlis T, Tsikaras P, Appell HJ, Skandalakis P, Koebke J (2007) Proposal for classification of the suprascapular notch: a study on 423 dried scapulas. Clin Anat 20(2):135–139CrossRefPubMed Natsis K, Totlis T, Tsikaras P, Appell HJ, Skandalakis P, Koebke J (2007) Proposal for classification of the suprascapular notch: a study on 423 dried scapulas. Clin Anat 20(2):135–139CrossRefPubMed
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Polguj M, Synder M, Kwapisz A, Stefańczyk K, Grzelak P, Podgórski M et al (2015) Clinical evaluation of the shape of the suprascapular notch-an ultrasonographic and computed tomography comparative study: application to shoulder pain syndromes. Clin Anat 28(6):774–779CrossRefPubMed Polguj M, Synder M, Kwapisz A, Stefańczyk K, Grzelak P, Podgórski M et al (2015) Clinical evaluation of the shape of the suprascapular notch-an ultrasonographic and computed tomography comparative study: application to shoulder pain syndromes. Clin Anat 28(6):774–779CrossRefPubMed
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Polguj M, Jędrzejewski K, Podgórski M, Topol M (2011) Morphometric study of the suprascapular notch: proposal of classification. Surg Radiol Anat 33(9):781–787CrossRefPubMed Polguj M, Jędrzejewski K, Podgórski M, Topol M (2011) Morphometric study of the suprascapular notch: proposal of classification. Surg Radiol Anat 33(9):781–787CrossRefPubMed
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Polguj M, Jędrzejewski K, Podgórski M, Majos A, Topol M (2013) A proposal for classification of the superior transverse scapular ligament: variable morphology and its potential influence on suprascapular nerve entrapment. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 22(9):1265–1273CrossRefPubMed Polguj M, Jędrzejewski K, Podgórski M, Majos A, Topol M (2013) A proposal for classification of the superior transverse scapular ligament: variable morphology and its potential influence on suprascapular nerve entrapment. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 22(9):1265–1273CrossRefPubMed
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Podgórski M, Topol M, Sibiński M, Domżalski M, Grzelak P, Polguj M (2015) What is the function of the anterior coracoscapular ligament?—a morphological study on the newest potential risk factor for suprascapular nerve entrapment. Ann Anat 201:38–42CrossRefPubMed Podgórski M, Topol M, Sibiński M, Domżalski M, Grzelak P, Polguj M (2015) What is the function of the anterior coracoscapular ligament?—a morphological study on the newest potential risk factor for suprascapular nerve entrapment. Ann Anat 201:38–42CrossRefPubMed
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Piasecki DP, Romeo AA, Bach BR (2009) Suprascapular neuropathy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 17(11):665–676CrossRefPubMed Piasecki DP, Romeo AA, Bach BR (2009) Suprascapular neuropathy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 17(11):665–676CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Polguj M, Sibiński M, Grzegorzewski A, Grzelak P, Majos A, Topol M (2013) Variation in morphology of suprascapular notch as a factor of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Int Orthop 37(11):2185–2192CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Polguj M, Sibiński M, Grzegorzewski A, Grzelak P, Majos A, Topol M (2013) Variation in morphology of suprascapular notch as a factor of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Int Orthop 37(11):2185–2192CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Rengachary SS, Burr D, Lucas S, Hassanein KM, Mohn MP, Matzke H (1979) Suprascapular entrapment neuropathy: a clinical, anatomical, and comparative study. Part 2: anatomical study. Neurosurgery 5(4):447–451CrossRefPubMed Rengachary SS, Burr D, Lucas S, Hassanein KM, Mohn MP, Matzke H (1979) Suprascapular entrapment neuropathy: a clinical, anatomical, and comparative study. Part 2: anatomical study. Neurosurgery 5(4):447–451CrossRefPubMed
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Rengachary SS, Neff JP, Singer PA, Brackett CE (1979) Suprascapular entrapment neuropathy: a clinical, anatomical, and comparative study. Part 1: clinical study. Neurosurgery 5(4):441–446CrossRefPubMed Rengachary SS, Neff JP, Singer PA, Brackett CE (1979) Suprascapular entrapment neuropathy: a clinical, anatomical, and comparative study. Part 1: clinical study. Neurosurgery 5(4):441–446CrossRefPubMed
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Tepeli B, Karataş M, Coşkun M, Yemişçi O (2017) A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and electroneuromyography for denervated muscle diagnosis. J Clin Neurophysiol 34(3):248–253CrossRefPubMed Tepeli B, Karataş M, Coşkun M, Yemişçi O (2017) A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and electroneuromyography for denervated muscle diagnosis. J Clin Neurophysiol 34(3):248–253CrossRefPubMed
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Tubbs RS, Nechtman C, D’Antoni AV, Shoja MM, Mortazavi MM, Loukas M et al (2013) Ossification of the suprascapular ligament: a risk factor for suprascapular nerve compression? Int J Shoulder Surg 7(1):19–22CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tubbs RS, Nechtman C, D’Antoni AV, Shoja MM, Mortazavi MM, Loukas M et al (2013) Ossification of the suprascapular ligament: a risk factor for suprascapular nerve compression? Int J Shoulder Surg 7(1):19–22CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Voisin JL, Ropars M, Thomazeau H (2016) Anatomical evidence for a uniquely positioned suprascapular foramen. Surg Radiol Anat 38(4):489–492CrossRefPubMed Voisin JL, Ropars M, Thomazeau H (2016) Anatomical evidence for a uniquely positioned suprascapular foramen. Surg Radiol Anat 38(4):489–492CrossRefPubMed
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Wang HJ, Chen C, Wu LP, Pan CQ, Zhang WJ, Li YK et al (2011) Variable morphology of the suprascapular notch: an investigation and quantitative measurements in Chinese population. Clin Anat 24(1):47–55CrossRefPubMed Wang HJ, Chen C, Wu LP, Pan CQ, Zhang WJ, Li YK et al (2011) Variable morphology of the suprascapular notch: an investigation and quantitative measurements in Chinese population. Clin Anat 24(1):47–55CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Classification of the superior angle of the scapula and its correlation with the suprascapular notch: a study on 303 scapulas
verfasst von
Lei Zhang
Xiaoguang Guo
Yang Liu
Min Ou
Xiaoyan Lin
Ji Qi
Yanxiao Xu
Guoyou Wang
Shijie Fu
Publikationsdatum
15.12.2018
Verlag
Springer Paris
Erschienen in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Ausgabe 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Elektronische ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2156-4

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 4/2019

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 4/2019 Zur Ausgabe

Update Radiologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.