Suprascapular Nerve

Anatomy

  • Branch of the upper trunk, root values C5 and C6
  • Runs deep to trapezius to the suprascapular notch
  • Passes beneath the superior transverse scapular ligament while the artery passes above it
  • Supplies supraspinatus, then winds around the spinoglenoid notch to supply infraspinatus
  • Lies about 2 cm medial to the posterior glenoid rim at the spinoglenoid notch
  • Gives articular branches to the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints but no skin supply

Motor Supply

  • Supraspinatus
  • Infraspinatus

Clinical Features

  • Compression at the suprascapular notch weakens both supraspinatus and infraspinatus
  • Compression at the spinoglenoid notch affects infraspinatus alone
  • Causes include a paralabral cyst from a SLAP tear, overhead sport such as volleyball, scapular fractures and traction from massive retracted cuff tears
  • Deep posterior shoulder ache with wasting of the infraspinatus fossa
  • Infraspinatus wasting is seen in some asymptomatic elite volleyball players

Investigations

Radial Nerve, the suprascapular, axillary and radial nerves, gray’s anatomy plate 818
The suprascapular, axillary and radial nerves, Gray’s Anatomy plate 818. Image by Henry Vandyke Carter, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
  • MRI for a paralabral cyst
  • Nerve conduction studies and EMG

Management

  • Rest and rehabilitation for traction neuropathy in athletes
  • Arthroscopic cyst decompression with labral repair
  • Arthroscopic release of the superior transverse scapular ligament
  • Suprascapular nerve block gives effective shoulder analgesia

Structures at Risk

  • Posterior glenoid drilling and screws exiting posteriorly in Latarjet and glenoid fixation
  • Medial mobilisation of retracted supraspinatus in cuff repair

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.