The sensory branch distribution of the suprascapular nerve: An anatomic study

The suprascapular nerve is responsible for most of the sensory innervation to the shoulder joint and is potentially at risk during surgery. In this study, 31 shoulders in 22 cadavers were dissected to investigate the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint by the suprascapular nerve, with special...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2008-05, Vol.17 (3), p.500-502
Main Authors: Vorster, Willie, PhD, Lange, Christopher P.E., MD, Briët, Robert J.P., MD, Labuschagne, Barend C.J., PhD, du Toit, Don F., DPhil, PhD, FRCS, Muller, Christo J.F., PhD, de Beer, Joe F., MMed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Brachial Plexus - anatomy & histology
Brachial Plexus - surgery
Cadaver
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Dissection
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Orthopedics
Peripheral Nerves - anatomy & histology
Peripheral Nerves - surgery
Scapula - innervation
Shoulder Joint - innervation
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Summary:The suprascapular nerve is responsible for most of the sensory innervation to the shoulder joint and is potentially at risk during surgery. In this study, 31 shoulders in 22 cadavers were dissected to investigate the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint by the suprascapular nerve, with special reference to its sensory branches. In 27 shoulders (87.1%), a small sensory branch was observed that splits off from the main stem of the suprascapular nerve proximal (48.2%), inferior (40.7%), or distal (11.1%) to the transverse scapular ligament. This percentage is considerably higher than has been previously found. In 74.2% of the shoulders, an acromial branch was also found, originating just proximal to the scapular neck, running to the infraspinatus tendon. These cadaveric results indicate that sensory branches to the shoulder joint are more common and numerous than previously described and therefore should be considered in shoulder surgery and nerve blocks to this area.
ISSN:1058-2746
1532-6500
DOI:10.1016/j.jse.2007.10.008