scapula

scap·u·la   (skāp'yə-lə)    n.   pl. scap·u·las or scap·u·lae (-lē') Either of two large, flat, triangular bones forming the back part of the shoulder. Also called shoulder blade. [Late Latin, shoulder, from Latin scapulae, the shoulder blades.]

scapula 

Main Entry: scap·u·la
Pronunciation: 'skap-y&-l&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural scap·u·lae /-"lE,-"lI/ or -las
: either of a pair of large essentially flat and triangular bones lying one in each dorsolateral part of the thorax, being the principal bone of thecorresponding half of the pectoral girdle, divided on the posterior surface into the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae by an oblique transverse bony process or spine terminating in the acromion,having a hook-shaped bony coracoid process on the anterior surface of the superior border of the bone, providing articulation for the humerus, and articulating with the corresponding clavicle calledalso shoulder blade

scapula scap·u·la (skāp'yə-lə)
n. pl. scap·u·las or scap·u·lae (-lē')
Either of two large, flat, triangular bones forming the back part of the shoulder. Also called shoulder blade.

scapula

either of two large bones of the shoulder girdle in vertebrates. In humans they are triangular and lie on the upper back between the levels of the second and eighth ribs. A scapula's posterior surface is crossed obliquely by a prominent ridge, the spine, which divides the bone into two concave areas, the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae. The spine and fossae give attachment to muscles that act in rotating the arm. The spine ends in the acromion, a process that articulates with the clavicle, or collarbone, in front and helps form the upper part of the shoulder socket. The lateral apex of the triangle is broadened and presents a shallow cavity, the glenoid cavity, which articulates with the head of the bone of the upper arm, the humerus, to form the shoulder joint. Overhanging the glenoid cavity is a beaklike projection, the coracoid process, which completes the shoulder socket. To the margins of the scapula are attached muscles that aid in moving or fixing the shoulder as demanded by movements of the upper limb.

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