Anatomical Structure And Location Of The Scapula's Supraglenoid Tubercle

Description

Supraglenoid tubercle anatomy is centered on the lateral angle of the scapula, where the bony prominence sits immediately superior to the glenoid cavity on the superior glenoid rim. From this fixed shoulder-girdle perspective, the tubercle is read in relation to the shallow, pear-shaped articular surface of the glenoid fossa, with the scapular neck narrowing medially and the body of the scapula expanding inferiorly toward the inferior angle. Lateral to medial, the landmark transitions from the articular margin into cortical bone of the neck, while superiorly it aligns with the base of the coracoid process and the adjacent suprascapular region. Orientation is unambiguous. It is a small but specific target. Clinically, the supraglenoid tubercle matters because it anchors the proximal attachment of the long head of the biceps brachii and blends with the superior labrum, a junction implicated in SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesions and biceps-labral complex injuries in overhead athletes. Orthopaedic discussions of biceps tenodesis or tenotomy often reference this exact footprint, and intraoperative localization depends on appreciating how close the tubercle sits to the superior glenoid cartilage and the anterior-superior labral attachment. The lighting and bony surface treatment in the illustration helps separate the tubercle from the surrounding glenoid rim, so the viewer can distinguish a true osseous prominence from the smoother articular margin. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal courses when teaching scapular landmarks and the proximal attachments of the biceps brachii, and in sports medicine or orthopaedic publishing when illustrating SLAP tear mechanisms, arthroscopic landmarks, and the biceps anchor. It also supports radiology teaching when correlating CT or MRI findings around the superior glenoid and labrum to a concrete bony reference point. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.