Objective To study the morphology of the inferior angle of scapula, and to explore its clinical significance. Methods The inferior angle of scapulae were measured in 275 dry scapular bones. Reference points: a: inferior angle; b: inferior glenoid tubercle; c: the intersection of the medial edge of the scapula and the scapular spine; e: scapular angle; f: spinoglenoid notch; d: the intersection of the line cf and the vertical line through point a. The parameters of inferior angles of 275 dry scapular bones, including the thickness of point a (the thickest part of inferior angle of the scapula), the length of the line ab, line ac, and line ad, and the angle of ∠bac, ∠ace (the projection of the scapular sagittal plane), and ∠ace′(the projection of the scapular coronal plane), were observed and measured using Vernier caliper and Goniometer. Results The morphology of the inferior angle of scapulae can be divided into 3 types, namely, Accessory angle-type (145, 52.73%), U-type (87, 31.64%) and V-type (43, 15.64%). In terms of the thickness of point a and the length of line ab, there were significant differences between the Accessory angle-type and V-type (P<0.05). With regard to the length of line ac, Accessory angle-type revealed a significant difference compared with U-type (P<0.05), or V-type (P<0.05). In terms of the length of line ad, there was a significant difference between the Accessory angle-type and V-type (P<0.05); Meanwhile, a statistical difference was found in U-type and V-type (P<0.05). With respect to ∠ace′, there was a statistical difference between Accessory angle-type and U-type (P<0.05). Besides, regarding ∠bac, the inferior angle of scapular of the right side was statistically different from that of the left side (P<0.05). Conclusion The inferior angle of scapulae have three anatomical types, with the Accessory angle-type as the main type, and the morphology and classification of it are of certain clinical implication.
Just Accepted