The suprascapular canal is an anatomical passage between two openings found on the upper dorsal aspect of the

shoulder The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder m ...

. It is found bilaterally running on superio-lateral aspect of the dorsal surface of the

scapula The scapula (plural scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on eithe ...

underneath the

supraspinatus muscle The supraspinatus (plural ''supraspinati'') is a relatively small muscle of the upper back that runs from the supraspinous fossa superior portion of the scapula (shoulder blade) to the greater tubercle of the humerus. It is one of the four rot ...

Structure

The suprascapular canal is an osteofibrous

canal Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management (e.g. flood control and irrigation) or for conveyancing water transport vehicles (e.g. water taxi). They carry free, calm surface fl ...

situated in the spinoglenoid fossa conveying

suprascapular nerve The suprascapular nerve is a nerve that branches from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It is responsible for the innervation of two of the muscles that originate from the scapula, namely the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Structur ...

and vessels. Its passage covered by the supraspinatus fascia and connects between its entrance formed by the

suprascapular notch The suprascapular notch (or ''scapular notch'') is a notch in the superior border of the scapula, just medial to the base of the coracoid process. It forms the entrance site into the suprascapular canal. Structure This notch is converted into ...

(enclosed by the

suprascapular ligament The superior transverse ligament (transverse or suprascapular ligament) converts the suprascapular notch into a foramen or opening. It is a thin and flat fascicle Fascicle or ''fasciculus'' may refer to: Anatomy and histology * Muscle fascicle ...

) and its exit formed by

spinoglenoid notch The great scapular notch (or ''spinoglenoid 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. The ...

(enclosed by the

spinoglenoid ligament The inferior transverse ligament (spinoglenoid ligament) is a weak membranous band, situated behind the neck of the scapula and stretching from the lateral border of the spine to the margin of the glenoid cavity. It forms an arch under which the ...

Clinical significance

As the

travels through the suprascapular canal narrow sites, it can potentially get entrapped leading to suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The causes have different anatomical implications at each site. The mechanisms varies and range from anatomical variations to pathological formations as well as from nerve compression to dynamics and traction injuries. The most common causes potentially occur at the suprascapular canal entrance site due to

stenosis, and at its exit site due to synovial joint cystic formation (

ganglion cyst A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled bump associated with a joint or tendon sheath. It most often occurs at the back of the wrist, followed by the front of the wrist. Onset is often over several months, typically with no further symptoms. Occasional ...

) bulging through the

References

{{reflist Shoulder