A COMPREHENSIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE SPINOGLENOID NOTCH AND LIGAMENT/ MEMBRANE: POSSIBLE CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF SUPRASCAPULAR NERVE ENTRAPMENT, SPİNOGLENOİD ÇENTİK VE LİGAMENT/MEMBRAN ÜZERİNE KAPSAMLI MORFOLOJİK VE MORFOMETRİK BİR ÇALIŞMA: SUPRASKAPULAR SİNİR BASISI AÇISINDAN OLASI KLİNİK ÖNEMİ

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the anatomical features and clinical significance of the spinoglenoid notch and spinoglenoid ligament-membrane as well as the branches of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus muscle as these structures may cause compression of this nerve. Material and Methods: Fifty sides (25 right and 25 left) were studied on 26 fixed cadavers belonging to the Department of Anatomy, İstanbul University, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine. The suprascapular nerve branches to the infraspinatus muscle and spinoglenoid ligament-membrane were examined in cadavers, and the spinoglenoid notch was investigated in 50 dry scapulae. Result: The suprascapular nerve had two branches to the infraspinatus muscle in 22 cadavers on 37 sides (74%) and three branches to this muscle in 11 cadavers on 13 sides (26%). On 31 sides the spinoglenoid membrane and on 19 sides the spinoglenoid ligament were observed. Related to the spinoglenoid notch, the mean width was 17.17±2.17 mm, and the mean depth was 17.45±2.03 mm in calliper measurements on dry bones, while the mean width was 16.99±1.88 mm, the mean depth was 17.73±2 mm and the mean area was 282.04±55.27 mm² in computed tomography measurements. Conclusion: The presented data regarding the spinoglenoid notch in which the suprascapular nerve is frequently compressed and the branches of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus muscle may guide the surgical treatment of the related entrapment syndrome. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.