[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) › Suprascapular nerve [Nervous system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/nervous-system/) · [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) # Suprascapular nerve The suprascapular nerve runs over the top of the shoulder blade; it moves the supraspinatus and infraspinatus and carries shoulder joint sensation. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=upper_limb&select=suprascapular_nerve&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A nerve from the upper trunk that runs through the notch of the shoulder blade. ## What it does Powers the supraspinatus and infraspinatus; also used for shoulder pain blocks. ## Key points - Passes through the suprascapular notch under the superior transverse scapular ligament, while the suprascapular artery usually passes over it - Entrapment at the suprascapular notch weakens supraspinatus and [infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/); at the spinoglenoid notch only infraspinatus - A paralabral cyst from a superior labral (SLAP) tear is a classic cause of compression at the spinoglenoid notch ## Key facts **Roots** C5–C6, superior trunk **Moves** Supraspinatus, infraspinatus **Feeling from** Glenohumeral and AC joints (no [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/)) ## Relations **Course** From the upper trunk it runs laterally across the posterior triangle of the neck, deep to [trapezius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezius-muscle/) and [omohyoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/omohyoid-muscle/), to the suprascapular notch; it supplies [supraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus/), then winds round the lateral border of the scapular [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) through the spinoglenoid notch into the infraspinous fossa **Above** The [superior transverse scapular ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-transverse-scapular-ligament/) bridging the notch, with the suprascapular artery and vein usually above it **Superficial** Trapezius, then supraspinatus in the supraspinous fossa **Deep** The bone of the supraspinous fossa and the spinoglenoid notch, which an inconstant [spinoglenoid ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-transverse-scapular-ligament/) may roof over ## How to find it Not palpable. The suprascapular notch lies on the upper border of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/), just medial to the base of the coracoid process; for a suprascapular nerve block the nerve is reached in the supraspinous fossa above the scapular spine, usually under ultrasound. ## Examination - Resisted external rotation with the arm at the side (infraspinatus) and the empty-can (Jobe) test (supraspinatus): weakness with intact cuff tendons on imaging suggests the nerve - Inspection from behind: wasting of the infraspinous fossa (and the supraspinous fossa in a notch lesion) makes the scapular spine stand out - Cross-body adduction stretches the nerve at the notch and may reproduce deep, poorly localised posterior shoulder pain ## On imaging MRI shows denervation oedema or fatty atrophy in supraspinatus and infraspinatus (notch lesion) or infraspinatus alone (spinoglenoid lesion), and any cyst pressing on the nerve; EMG confirms the level. ## Clinical notes - Overhead athletes (volleyball, pitching): repeated traction at the spinoglenoid notch can cause painless infraspinatus wasting - Suprascapular nerve block is used for pain after shoulder surgery and in chronic shoulder pain, often combined with an [axillary nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-nerve/) block - At risk in scapular and distal [clavicle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/clavicle/) fractures and with large retracted rotator cuff tears that pull the nerve tight - Entrapment vs rotator cuff tear: both weaken abduction and external rotation; normal tendons with muscle wasting on imaging point to the nerve ## Anatomical variants - The suprascapular vessels usually run above the ligament and the nerve below it, but the vessels sometimes pass under it with the nerve - The superior transverse scapular ligament may be partly or completely ossified, turning the notch into a narrow foramen ## Development Its C5–C6 fibres are among the first lost in Erb (upper trunk) birth palsy. With supraspinatus and infraspinatus weak, nothing balances internal rotation; a lasting contracture in a growing child can deform the glenoid and sublux the humeral head backward. ## Memory aid 'The Army goes over the bridge, the Navy goes under': suprascapular Artery over the ligament, Nerve under it. ## Related conditions - [Rotator cuff tear](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/rotator-cuff-tear/) - [Brachial plexus injury](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/brachial-plexus-injury/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## How do the suprascapular nerve and artery pass the superior transverse scapular ligament? The nerve passes under the ligament through the suprascapular notch; the artery usually passes over it. ## Which muscles are weak with suprascapular nerve entrapment at the suprascapular notch versus the spinoglenoid notch? At the suprascapular notch, supraspinatus and infraspinatus; at the spinoglenoid notch, infraspinatus only. ## What is a classic cause of suprascapular nerve compression at the spinoglenoid notch? A paralabral cyst from a superior labral (SLAP) tear. ## How is suprascapular nerve entrapment told apart from a rotator cuff tear? Both weaken abduction and external rotation; normal tendons with muscle wasting on imaging point to the nerve. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/suprascapular-nerve/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** nervus suprascapularis TA2 6411 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Nervio supraescapular **English (TA2)** Suprascapular nerve ## Related - [Suprascapular ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-transverse-scapular-ligament/) - [Spinoglenoid ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-transverse-scapular-ligament/) - [Supraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/supraspinatus/) - [Infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Suprascapular Nerve](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557880/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suprascapular-nerve/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suprascapular-nerve/