Supraspinatus fascia
Fascia supraspinata
- Synonym: Supraspinous fascia
- Related terms: Supraspinous fascia
Definition
The supraspinatus fascia is a dense, fibrous membrane that forms the roof of the supraspinous fossa, overlying the supraspinatus muscle. This fascia attaches firmly to the margins of the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, thereby creating a well-defined osteofascial compartment for the muscle. It also serves to separate the supraspinatus muscle from the more superficial subcutaneous tissue.
Typically well-developed, the supraspinatus fascia can be notably thickened at the spinoglenoid notch, where it merges seamlessly with the infraspinatus fascia. Clinically, pathological thickening or retraction of this fascia can contribute to suprascapular nerve entrapment within the supraspinatus fossa, independent of the compression of the suprascapular nerve at the notches.
References
Duparc F, Coquerel D, Ozeel J, Noyon M, Gerometta A, Michot C. Anatomical basis of the suprascapular nerve entrapment, and clinical relevance of the supraspinatus fascia. Surg Radiol Anat. 2010 Mar;32(3):277-84.
Stranding, S. (2015). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st ed. Churchill Livingstone. Chapter 48: Shoulder girdle and arm, p. 799-800.
