Morphometric Varia
Morphometric Variations of the Suprascapular Notch as a
Potential Cause of Neuropathy: Anatomical Study
Amal A. Mahdy* and Amal A.
Shehab
Anatomy and Embryology
Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Gharbia, Egypt.*[email protected]
Abstract: Background: Suprascapular nerve entrapment has several
causes particularly at the suprascapular notch. Anatomical
variation of the notch is considered as one of the causes. Aim of the
work: Study the variations of the suprascapular
notch in Egyptian scapulae considering them as possible
predisposing factor for suprascapular nerve entrapment. Material and
Methods: One hundred and thirty two dried scapulae were examined and
classified. Vertical (VD) and transverse (TD) diameters of the suprascapular
notch as well as the distance (SGND) between its lower margin and the base of
the spinoglenoid notch were measured. For all scapulae, maximal width (W),
maximal length (L) and their index (W/L) were recorded. The previous
measurements were statistically studied. Comparative analysis of the measured
parameters was done and percentage of each type was calculated. Morphological
variations of the suprascapular notches were studied. Results: Five
types of suprascapular notches were recorded; type I having no notch (6.06 %).
Type II notch was the most prevalent type (45.45%) with longer TD. Type III
notch (43.93%) had longer VD or equal VD and TD. Type IV with suprascapular
foramen was found in 3.03% while 1.5 % was of type V which had a foramen with a
notch. Highly significant negative correlation was present between VD of the
notch with SGND in types II and III scapular notches. However, there was
highly significant and significant correlation between TD with SGND as well as
with L and W/L index in type III. There were no other statistically significant
correlations between measured parameters of the scapulae with the dimensions of
suprascapular notches. Also, there was no statistically significant difference
between the measured parameters (SGND, W, L & W/L) in types I, II and III.
Three morphological variations were detected in the scapulae having
suprascapular notches (types II and III). They were U shape (76.27%), V shape
(13.56%) and J shape (10.17%). Conclusion: This study
classified the suprascapular notch into five types and three morphological
variations which could be used in further investigations for management of
suprascapular nerve entrapment.
[Amal A.
Mahdy and Amal A. Shehab. Morphometric Variations of
the Suprascapular Notch as a Potential Cause of Neuropathy: Anatomical Study. J
Am Sci 2013;9(3):189-197] (ISSN: 1545-1003).http://www.americanscience.org. 25
Keywords:
Morphometric Variation; Suprascapular Notch; Neuropathy: Anatomical Study Full Text 25
