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Superior angle of scapula

The superior angle of the scapula is the uppermost medial corner of the scapula where the superior border meets the medial (vertebral) border. It serves as an important anatomical landmark for muscle attachment and orientation of the scapula within the shoulder girdle.

It is a key reference point in musculoskeletal anatomy, shoulder imaging, orthopedic evaluation, and surgical planning.

Synonyms

  • Upper medial angle of scapula

  • Superomedial angle of scapula

Location

  • Situated at the junction of the superior and medial borders of the scapula

  • Located opposite the spinous process of the T2 vertebra

  • Medial to the supraspinous fossa

  • Posterior to the thoracic wall

  • Deep to the trapezius muscle

Anatomical components

  • Osseous angle formed by two borders:

    • Superior border

    • Medial (vertebral) border

  • Cortical bone with cancellous interior

  • Muscle attachment site:

    • Levator scapulae

    • Upper fibers of rhomboid minor (nearby)

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Thoracic wall and ribs (2nd rib region)

Posteriorly:

  • Trapezius muscle

  • Skin and subcutaneous tissue

Medially:

  • Medial border of the scapula

Laterally:

  • Supraspinous fossa

Superiorly:

  • Superior border of the scapula

Inferiorly:

  • Body of the scapula

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP scapular and shoulder views):

  • Superior angle: Seen as the upper medial pointed corner of the scapula

  • Cortical outline: Smooth and well-defined

  • Best visualized on: AP scapular and Y-views

  • Relationship: Lies medial to the acromion and coracoid

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Superior angle: Well-defined bony projection at the superomedial scapula

  • Cortical margins: Sharp and continuous

  • Trabecular pattern: Normal cancellous bone

  • Spatial detail: Excellent depiction of shape and orientation

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow within scapula: High signal intensity

  • Superior angle contour: Clearly delineated

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Surrounding soft tissues: Intermediate-to-high signal

  • Muscle attachments: Seen adjacent to the angle

STIR:

  • Fat suppression: Uniform suppression of marrow fat

  • Superior angle margins: Well visualized

  • Adjacent muscles: Bright signal against suppressed marrow

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Soft tissues: High contrast

  • Muscle attachment interfaces: Clearly depicted

CT VRT 3D image

Superior angle of scapula

X-Ray image

Superior angle of scapula x ray anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000