Morphological evaluation of the scapula by three-dimensional computed tomography to elucidate shoulder joint function

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Scapula morphology exhibits significant variation.
• Understanding scapula morphology is crucial for elucidating shoulder joint biomechanics.
• Identifying conserved features in scapula morphology can aid in understanding its function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the bone morphology of various scapula components.
• To identify conserved features within the scapula.
• To investigate correlations between different parts of the scapula.

Main Methods:

• 3D scapula models were created from computed tomography (CT) scans of 31 healthy individuals.
• Measurements of the scapular body, spine, coracoid, and acromion were taken.
• Positional relationships and angular correlations between these structures were evaluated using defined axes.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between the inclinations of the upper and lower scapular bodies and the scapular spine on the XY plane.
• Inclinations of the central axes of the coracoid and acromion were also significantly correlated on the XY plane.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates, for the first time, significant correlations between the inclinations of the scapular body and spine.
• A significant correlation was also identified between the inclination angle of the coracoid and acromion.
• These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of scapula morphology and its role in shoulder function.