Posterior Surface Of The Scapula, Posterior View

Description

Scapula anatomy is centered here on the dorsal (posterior) surface, dominated by the prominent scapular spine running obliquely from the medial border toward the lateral angle. Superior to the spine lies the supraspinous fossa, while the larger infraspinous fossa occupies the inferior posterior blade, both oriented on the posterior thoracic wall with the medial (vertebral) border medially and the lateral (axillary) border laterally. The spine broadens laterally toward the acromion, and the superior and inferior angles frame the blade’s vertical extent. Bony relief is crisp. These landmarks matter because most posterior scapular muscle origins and insertions are keyed to them: supraspinatus arises from the supraspinous fossa, infraspinatus from the infraspinous fossa, teres minor tracks the upper lateral border, and trapezius and deltoid attach along the spine and acromion. Palpation and surgical orientation often start with the scapular spine as a reliable surface landmark, and fracture patterns frequently propagate through the body and spine after direct posterior trauma. The suprascapular notch is not the focus in this posterior view, but the fossa-and-spine relationship still supports teaching suprascapular nerve entrapment concepts by clarifying where supraspinatus and infraspinatus occupy the posterior scapula. Surface topology reads well in a single frame, making the ridge-and-fossa transitions easy to interpret. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal radiology teaching to correlate posterior scapular contours with plain radiographs, CT bone windows, and physical exam landmarks of the shoulder girdle. It also suits orthopedic and sports medicine texts discussing scapular fractures, rotator cuff mechanics, and attachment mapping for trapezius and deltoid along the scapular spine. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.