Introduction An improved knowledge of the suprascapular notch
anatomy may help to prevent and to well-assess the suprascapular
nerve entrapment syndrome. We aimed to verify the reliability of the
existing data, to assess the differences between the two genders, to
verify the existing correlation between the dimensions of the scapula
and of the suprascapular notch, to investigate the relationship between
the suprascapular notch and the postero-superior limit of the safe zone
for the suprascapular nerve.
Materials and methods We examined 500 dried scapulae, measuring
seven distances referring to the scapular body and suprascapular
notch; they were also catalogued according to gender, age and side.
Suprascapular notch was classified according to Rengachary’s
method. We elaborated for each class the width/depth ratio. Pearson’s
correlation was also calculated.
Results Frequencies were: Type I 12.4 %, Type II 19.8 %, Type III
22.8 %, Type IV 31.1 %, Type V 10.2 %, Type VI 3.6 %. Width and
depth showed a not statistical significant difference when elaborated
according to gender and side; a significant difference was found
between the depth means elaborated according to median age
(73 years old). Correlation indexes were weak or not statistically
significant. The difference between the postero-superior limit of the
safe zone in the six types of notches was not statistical significant.
Discussion We observed a difference concerning the frequencies of the
VI Types of suprascapular notch presented in our study respect to those
reported in literature. We suppose that the difference between the depth
means may be due to the most frequent presence of partial/total ossification
of the superior transverse scapular ligament in the population over
73 years old. The characteristics of the suprascapular notch (dimensions
and type) are not influenced by age, gender and scapular dimensions.
Conclusions A pre-operative evaluation of the patient’s characteristics
(gender, age and scapular dimensions) does not provide any
information about the suprascapular notch. The safe zone is not
influenced by the morphologic and morphometric characteristics of
the suprascapular notch
