Suprascapular Nerve Palsy
Original Editor - Arnold Fredrick D'Souza
Top Contributors - Arnold Fredrick D'Souza, Kim Jackson, Joseph Zahn and Naomi O'Reilly
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The suprascapular nerve is a mixed nerve of the upper limb with increasing clinical significance due to its role in shoulder pain and upper limb weakness.[1]
Origin[edit | edit source]
It branches out from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Its nerve roots are C5 and C6. Sporadically, it may have roots from C4 as well.[1]
Course[edit | edit source]
From the posterior triangle of the neck, it goes over the upper part of the scapula, then downward and laterally, parallel to the omohyoid muscle belly. It passes below the suprascapular ligament and into the supraspinatus fossa where it innervates infraspinatus and supraspinatus.[1]
Branches & Supply[edit | edit source]
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Injury to suprascapular nerve can result in suprascapular nerve palsy. Mechanism of injury include traction injuries to the shoulder and compression along its path at the cervical spine, superior and posterior shoulder. The suprascapular notch and spinoglenoid ligament are two important sites of compression.
