Scapular Head, Posterior View

Description

Scapular head anatomy dominates this posterior view, centering on the thickened lateral angle of the scapula where the glenoid cavity faces laterally and slightly anteriorly. Along the rim of the glenoid, the superior and inferior poles align with the supraglenoid and infraglenoid tubercles, while the scapular neck narrows medially into the lateral border and opens posteriorly into the infraspinous fossa. Superior to the glenoid, the root of the acromion and adjacent scapular spine form a bony roof over the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral region, with the dorsal surface contours providing landmarks for the posterior approach. Bone relief reads clearly. Posterior emphasis makes this illustration practical for understanding osseous constraints on shoulder stability, because the glenoid version and the posterior-inferior quadrant of the glenoid rim are where bony deficiency contributes to recurrent posterior instability and where reverse Bankart-type lesions are considered in surgical planning. The relationship between the scapular neck, the base of the acromion, and the posterior glenoid margin helps orient portals for arthroscopic posterior labral repair and frames the safe working corridor near the spinoglenoid notch region (a consideration in suprascapular nerve compression). Subtle changes in the contour of the glenoid rim also matter when discussing glenoid fractures, posterior dislocation with impression injury, and component positioning in anatomic versus reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Use this illustration in shoulder and upper-limb anatomy courses, orthopedic surgery atlases covering posterior shoulder approaches, and radiology teaching files when correlating posterior bony landmarks with CT evaluation of glenoid bone loss and version. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.