A morphometric and morphological analysis of superior border of dry scapulae

Aim: The recognition of the scapula anatomy and visible variations is important in surgical treatments and arthroscopic procedures in case of any diseases of the shoulder. The morphological and morphometric characteristics of the scapular notch on the superior margin are very important. Because compression of the suprascapular nerve extending inside the scapular notch causes entrapment neuropathy. Therefore, the present study was planned in order to contribute to us as well as practitioners about morphometric and morphological characteristics of the superior margin of the scapula. Materials and Methods: Morphometric measurements (SL: scapula length; SW: scapula width; SI: scapula index; STD: superior transverse diameter of the scapular notch; MTD: medial transverse diameter of the scapular notch; VD: vertical diameter) were performed on 90 (50 left; 40 right) scapulae of Turkish population without unknown age and gender. Furthermore, the superior scapular margin and the scapular notch were categorized through observational classification as well as measurement. Results: The mean scapular width was detected 98.87±7.71 mm on the right and 94.38±13.01 mm on the left. The scapula index was measured 67.51±4.40 mm on the right and 63.80±8.29 mm on the left. The SL, STD, and VT was larger on the left; the SW, SI, and MTD were larger on the right. The difference between right and left for the SW and SI measurements was statistically significant (p<0.005). The most common scapular notch appearance, the U shape (64.4%) was the most common scapular notch shape as VD>MTD (%48.9). The most common superior margin type was moderately oblique (41.1%). Conclusion: We believe that the data obtained would be helpful for orthopedic surgeons in intramedullary nailing and radiologists in the differential diagnosis of some osteolytic lesions in that region. Furthermore, scapula measurements would help to identify the gender and race in forensic medicine and anthropology.