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Coracoid process of scapula

The coracoid process of the scapula is a hook-like bony projection arising from the superolateral border of the scapula, projecting anterolaterally just below the clavicle. It serves as a critical attachment point for muscles and ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint.

Muscular attachments include:

  • Pectoralis minor (inserts on coracoid)

  • Short head of biceps brachii (origin)

  • Coracobrachialis (origin)

Ligamentous attachments include:

  • Coracoacromial ligament → forms coracoacromial arch

  • Coracoclavicular ligaments (conoid and trapezoid) → stabilize clavicle to scapula

  • Coracohumeral ligament → contributes to glenohumeral stability

The coracoid process functions as a stabilizer of the shoulder girdle, acting as a lever for muscles and a brace for ligaments. Its position relative to the clavicle and glenoid makes it a key structure in shoulder stability, acromioclavicular (AC) joint mechanics, and subcoracoid space pathologies.

Synonyms

  • Processus coracoideus scapulae

  • Coracoid of scapula

Function

  • Provides muscle origin/insertion points for shoulder and chest wall muscles

  • Serves as a ligament anchor stabilizing clavicle and humeral head

  • Contributes to the coracoacromial arch, protecting humeral head

  • Maintains shoulder joint stability and acts as a surgical landmark

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: low signal intensity

  • Marrow (if present in base): intermediate signal intensity

  • Surrounding fat plane provides contrast

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone cortex remains hypointense

  • Useful for detecting cortical irregularity, cysts, or marrow lesions

PD-FS (Proton Density Fat-Suppressed):

  • Suppresses fat, enhancing detection of bone marrow edema, stress injury, or occult fractures

  • Highlights pathology of adjacent tendons (e.g., biceps short head, coracobrachialis)

STIR:

  • Sensitive to bone marrow edema, inflammatory changes, and soft tissue injury

  • Coracoid pathology (fractures, osteolysis) appears hyperintense

T1 Post-Gadolinium (Gd-enhanced MRI):

  • Bone cortex does not enhance

  • Enhancing adjacent soft tissues may indicate bursitis, tumor, or inflammatory changes

  • Helps assess coracoid bursitis or neoplastic invasion

MRI Non-Contrast 3D Imaging:

  • Provides 3D view of coracoid shape and spatial relation to clavicle, glenoid, and humerus

  • Useful in preoperative planning (e.g., Latarjet procedure for instability)

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Excellent visualization of coracoid morphology, fractures, and cortical detail

  • Best modality for evaluating trauma and surgical planning

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Enhances surrounding soft tissues, helping evaluate neoplastic invasion, vascular encroachment, or bursitis

  • 3D CT reconstructions highlight coracoid position, morphology, and its role in subcoracoid impingement

MRI images

Coracoid process of scapula MRI axial image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Coracoid process of scapula mri sag image

CT image

Coracoid process of scapula ct axial image -img-00000-00000

CT image

coracoid process of scapula coronal ct image

CT 3D VRT image

Coracoid process ct 3d image