Superior transverse scapular ligament

The superior transverse ligament (transverse or suprascapular ligament) converts the scapular notch into a foramen or opening.

It is a thin and flat fascicle, narrower at the middle than at the extremities, attached by one end to the base of the coracoid process and by the other to the medial end of the scapular notch.

The suprascapular nerve runs through the foramen; the transverse scapular vessels cross over the ligament.

The ligament can become ossified and impinge the underlying suprascapular nerve. This may cause paralysis of both supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• MedEd at Loyola grossanatomy/dissector/labs/ue/pect_scap/scap1a.html