The significance of the neurovascular structures passing through the spinoglenoid notch

OBJECTIVE: To define the detailed anatomy of the neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch and to report the dimensions of these structures in cadavers.

METHODS: In the present study, the external diameters of suprascapular artery, vein and nerve were measured at the spinoglenoid notch region in 18 formalin fixed cadavers (36 shoulders) by using a caliper. The study was carried out in the dissection laboratory of Anatomy Departments of Hacettepe University, Ankara University, Ankara and Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey, between 2002 and 2003.

RESULTS: The average external diameter for the suprascapular vein was 2.6 mm, artery was 2.2 mm and nerve was 2.2 mm. The spinoglenoid notch was roofed by the spinoglenoid ligament and appeared as a fibroosseous foramen in all cadavers. We found that the vascular structures (suprascapular artery and vein) occupied 68.5% and the suprascapular nerve occupied 31.5% of this foramen.

CONCLUSION: Although the diameters of the vascular structures at the spinoglenoid notch measured by magnetic resonance imaging have been reported, to our knowledge, external diameters of these structures at the spinoglenoid notch have not been described in cadavers. We believe that detailed anatomy of suprascapular neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch should be appreciated for better understanding of risk factors possibly causing the suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, specially for those who are involved in violent overhead sports activities such as volleyball and baseball.