A COMPREHENSIVE MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE SPINOGLENOID NOTCH AND LIGAMENT/ MEMBRANE: POSSIBLE CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF SUPRASCAPULAR NERVE ENTRAPMENT

<strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to determine the anatomical fea tures and clinical significance of the spinoglenoid notch and spinoglenoid ligament-membrane as well as the branches of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus muscle as these struc tures may cause compression of this nerve. <strong>Material and Methods: </strong>Fifty sides (25 right and 25 left) were studied on 26 fixed cadavers belonging to the Department of Anatomy, İstanbul University, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine. The suprascapular nerve branches to the infraspinatus muscle and spinoglenoid ligament-membrane were examined in cadavers, and the spinoglenoid notch was investigated in 50 dry scapulae. <strong>Result:</strong> The suprascapular nerve had two branches to the in fraspinatus muscle in 22 cadavers on 37 sides (74%) and three branches to this muscle in 11 cadavers on 13 sides (26%). On 31 sides the spinoglenoid membrane and on 19 sides the spino&nbsp;glenoid ligament were observed. Related to the spinoglenoid notch, the mean width was 17.17±2.17 mm, and the mean depth was 17.45±2.03 mm in calliper measurements on dry bones, while the mean width was 16.99±1.88 mm, the mean depth was 17.73±2 mm and the mean area was 282.04±55.27 mm² in computed tomography measurements.&nbsp; <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presented data regarding the spinoglenoid notch in which the suprascapular nerve is frequently compressed and the branches of the suprascapular nerve to the infraspinatus muscle may guide the surgical treatment of the related entrapment syndrome.