Suprascapular nerve

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Suprascapular nerve
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The suprascapular, axillary, and radial nerves. (Suprascapular labeled at upper left.)
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The right brachial plexus with its short branches, viewed from in front. (Suprascapular labeled at upper left.)
Details
From Upper trunk (C5–C6) of brachial plexus
Innervates Supraspinatus, infraspinatus
Identifiers
Latin nervus suprascapularis
TA98 A14.2.03.014
TA2 6411
FMA 37025
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The suprascapular nerve is a mixed (sensory and motor) nerve that branches from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It is derived from the ventral rami of cervical nerves C5-C6. It provides motor innervation to the supraspinatus muscle, and the infraspinatus muscle.

Contents

Structure

Origin

The suprascapular nerve arises from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus which is formed by the union of the ventral rami of the cervical nerves C5-C6. [1]

Course and relations

After branching from the upper trunk, the nerve passes across the posterior triangle of the neck parallel to the inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle and deep to the trapezius muscle. It then runs along the superior border of the scapula through the suprascapular canal, [1] in which it enters via the suprascapular notch inferior to the superior transverse scapular ligament and enters the supraspinous fossa. [2] It then passes beneath the supraspinatus and curves around the lateral border of the spine of the scapula through spinogleniod notch to the infraspinous fossa.[ citation needed ]

Function

The suprascapular nerve is a mixed peripheral nerve containing motor and sensory components.

Motor innervation

Sensory innervation

In the supraspinous fossa it gives off two branches to the supraspinatus muscle and in the infraspinous fossa it gives off two branches to the infraspinatus muscle.

Clinical significance

Additional images

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinal nerve</span> Nerve that carries signals between the spinal cord and the body

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper limb</span> Consists of the arm, forearm, and hand

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The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle of the upper back that runs from the supraspinous fossa superior portion of the scapula to the greater tubercle of the humerus. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles and also abducts the arm at the shoulder. The spine of the scapula separates the supraspinatus muscle from the infraspinatus muscle, which originates below the spine.

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The lower subscapular nerve, also known as the inferior subscapular nerve, is the third branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It innervates the inferior portion of the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle.

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The upper (superior) subscapular nerve is the first branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. The upper subscapular nerve contains axons from the ventral rami of the C5 and C6 cervical spinal nerves. It innervates the superior portion of the subscapularis muscle. The inferior portion of the subscapularis is innervated by the lower subscapular nerve.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supraspinous fossa</span> Part of the shoulderblade

The supraspinous fossa of the posterior aspect of the scapula is smaller than the infraspinous fossa, concave, smooth, and broader at its vertebral than at its humeral end. Its medial two-thirds give origin to the Supraspinatus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great scapular notch</span> Notch which serves to connect the supraspinous fossa and infraspinous fossa

The great scapular notch is a notch which serves to connect the supraspinous fossa and infraspinous fossa. It lies immediately medial to the attachment of the acromion to the lateral angle of the scapular spine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ventral ramus of spinal nerve</span> Anterior division of a spinal nerve

The ventral ramus is the anterior division of a spinal nerve. The ventral rami supply the antero-lateral parts of the trunk and the limbs. They are mainly larger than the dorsal rami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

The upper (superior) trunk is part of the brachial plexus. It is formed by joining of the ventral rami of the fifth (C5) and sixth (C6) cervical nerves. The upper trunk divides into an anterior and posterior division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suprascapular canal</span> Anatomical passage between two openings found on the upper dorsal aspect of the shoulder

The suprascapular canal is an anatomical passage between two openings found on the upper dorsal aspect of the shoulder. It is found bilaterally running on superior-lateral aspect of the dorsal surface of the scapula underneath the supraspinatus muscle.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 932 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 3 Al-Redouan, Azzat; Holding, keiv; Kachlik, David (2020). ""Suprascapular canal": Anatomical and topographical description andits clinical implication in entrapment syndrome". Annals of Anatomy. 233: 151593. doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151593. PMID   32898658.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Avery, BW; Pilon, FM; Barclay, JK (November 2002). "Anterior coracoscapular ligament and suprascapular nerve entrapment". Clinical Anatomy. 15 (6): 383–6. doi:10.1002/ca.10058. PMID   12373728. S2CID   9826767.