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# Spinoglenoid ligament

The spinoglenoid ligament is a small band on the back of the shoulder blade that roofs the suprascapular nerve on its way to the infraspinatus.

Official name: Inferior transverse scapular (spinoglenoid) ligament

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## What it is

A thin band at the base of the scapular spine.

## What it does

Roofs the path of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus.

## Key points

- Bridges the spinoglenoid notch, roofing the suprascapular nerve as it turns round the base of the scapular spine to reach infraspinatus
- Compression here weakens only infraspinatus (external rotation) and spares [supraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus/): typical in volleyball players and with paralabral cysts
- Inconstant: a distinct ligament in some shoulders and only a thin fascial band in others (reported rates vary widely)

## Key facts

**Attaches**
Lateral spine of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) to the glenoid margin

**Function**
Covers the suprascapular nerve on its way to infraspinatus

**Tight in**
Not joint-dependent

## Relations

**Deep**
[Suprascapular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suprascapular-nerve/) ([infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/) branch) and the suprascapular artery, passing through the spinoglenoid notch

**Medial**
Lateral border of the scapular [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/)

**Lateral**
Back of the glenoid neck and the posterior [shoulder capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/shoulder-joint-capsule/), close to the posterosuperior [glenoid labrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/glenoid-labrum/)

**Superficial**
Infraspinatus

## How to find it

Not palpable: it lies under the posterior deltoid and infraspinatus, where the lateral edge of the scapular spine meets the back of the glenoid neck. In a posterior approach it is found by lifting infraspinatus off the scapular neck.

## Examination

- External rotation strength with the arm at the side: isolated weakness with wasting below the scapular spine, but normal abduction strength, suggests a lesion at the spinoglenoid notch

## On imaging

MRI shows a paralabral (ganglion) cyst in the notch, often with a posterosuperior labral tear, and denervation oedema or atrophy confined to infraspinatus; ultrasound can find the cyst and guide its aspiration.

## Clinical notes

- Paralabral cysts form when joint fluid escapes through a labral tear; repairing the labrum, with decompression of the cyst, relieves the nerve
- Some studies suggest the ligament tightens in cross-body adduction with internal rotation, the follow-through of a serve or spike, which may compress the nerve
- The suprascapular nerve lies close to the back of the glenoid at this notch, so posterior approaches and posterior glenoid fixation stay near the rim

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which muscle weakens with nerve compression under the spinoglenoid ligament?

Only infraspinatus (external rotation); supraspinatus is spared, unlike entrapment at the suprascapular notch.

## What lesion commonly compresses the suprascapular nerve at the spinoglenoid notch?

A paralabral cyst, often from a posterosuperior labral tear.

## Which athletes typically develop compression under the spinoglenoid ligament?

Volleyball players.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
ligamentum transversum inferius scapulae TA2 1742

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Ligamento transverso inferior de la escápula

**English (TA2)**
Inferior transverse scapular (spinoglenoid) ligament

## Related

- [Suprascapular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suprascapular-nerve/)
- [Scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Suprascapular Nerve](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557880/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-transverse-scapular-ligament/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-transverse-scapular-ligament/