Morphological Classification and Parameters of Spine of Scapula Among South Indian Population

Abstract

Scapula is a pivotal bone of Shoulder girdle, critical in stabilizing and permitting various sports movements like swimming, rowing and throwing. Isolated fractures of the scapular spine are rare. Usually, they are associated with other fractures of the shoulder girdle or injuries to the head, lungs, ribs, cervical spine and brachial neurovascular structures constituting 6% of scapular fractures.Objectives: 1) to classify and to obtain the Quantitative morphometric parameters of scapular spine and also to find the asymmetry of the same bilaterally.Methodology: This study was conducted on 100 dried adult Human Scapula. Spine of scapula were observed and classified morphologically, various morphometric measurements like projection length of spine, thickness and height of spine of scapula were taken using digital vernier caliper and thickness measuring gauge micrometer. The data was analysed statistically using SPSS software version 20.0 and were tabulated.Results: The commenest type of spine was fusiform (type I) with 46% and the least was "S" shape type V with 0% incidence. Type II (slender) spine showed least measured values related to all the parameters. Conclusion:Spine of scapula is an important process, provides elegant reinforcement to dorsal surface of scapula. A morphological variation of the same is not a rare entity in our observation. With recent development in surgical approaches towards the clinical conditions of shoulder joint thorough qualitative and quantitative knowledge of the same is necessary for any surgeon which can be an additional aid for the surgeon during surgeries.