Anatomy of the scapulothoracic Articulation

Four fresh frozen human cadavers (eight extremities) consisting of the head , neck, thorax, and entire upper extremities were used for dissection of th e scapulothoracic articulation. In each specimen, the spinal accessory nerv e, all relevant muscle insertions, and bursae were identified and measured. The structures of the scapulothoracic articulation can be divided into sup erficial, intermediate, and deep layers. The superficial layer consists of the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and an inconsistent bursa between the infe rior angle of the scapula and the latissimus dorsi, The intermediate layer consists of the levator scapulae, rhomboid minor and major, spinal accessor y nerve, and scapulotrapezial bursa located between the superomedial scapul a and the overlying trapezius, In all specimens, the spinal accessory nerve traveled intimately along the wall of the scapulotrapezial bursa, an avera ge of 2.7 cm lateral to the superomedial angle of the scapula, The deep lay er consists of the serratus anterior, subscapularis, and two bursae: one be tween the serratus and the thorax, the scapulothoracic bursa; and one betwe en the subscapularis and the serratus, the subscapularis bursa.