Videos
Quizzes
Both
Anatomical spaces of the pectoral region
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/suprascapular-nerve/QthvfOceS8BIMEkKmSeCQ_WsvMf2xTQc_Nervus_suprascapularis_2.png "Suprascapular nerve (Nervus suprascapularis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/axillary-nerve/NXPLtqda0rWhv3Mk5nAFw_Axillary_nerve.png "Axillary nerve (Nervus axillaris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/posterior-humeral-circumflex-artery/lsILLEN7W0f9BxXIAotuNw_Posterior_circumflex_humeral_artery_-_magnfied.png "Posterior circumflex humeral artery (Arteria circumflexa posterior humeri); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/circumflex-scapular-artery/PA50LwL9g4G4tjXI7NzmOg_arteria-circumflexa-scapulae_2_.png "Circumflex scapular artery (Arteria circumflexa scapulae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/deep-brachial-artery/U9Xk6oXbpgaUN9yFaGF2Ig_Deep_brachial_artery.png "Deep brachial artery (Arteria profunda brachii); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-radialis/0owfJlcOVgSaluyQshb2hg_N._radialis_01.png "Radial nerve (Nervus radialis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
An anatomical space can be loosely classified as any space that is not completely occupied by tissue. There are several anatomical spaces in the pectoral girdle that act as passage ways for neurovascular structures to traverse the upper limb.
Most important are:
- The suprascapular foramen
- The quadrangular space
- The triangular space
- The triangular interval
| Suprascapular foramen |
Superior border: superior transverse scapular ligament Inferior border: suprascapular notch Content: suprascapular nerve (below ligament), suprascapular artery (above ligament) Mnemonic: Airforce above, Navy below |
| Quadrangular space |
Superior border: subscapularis muscle, the capsule of the shoulder joint, teres minor muscle Inferior border: teres major muscle Lateral border: surgical neck of the humerus Medial border: long head of the triceps brachii muscle Content: axillary nerve, posterior circumflex artery |
| Triangular space |
Inferior border: superior border of the teres major muscle Superior border: inferior border of the teres minor muscle Lateral border: medial border of the long head of the triceps brachii muscle Content: circumflex scapular artery |
| Triangular interval |
Lateral border: shaft of the humerus Medial border: lateral border of the long head of the triceps brachii muscle Content: profunda brachii artery, radial nerve |
| Clinical relations | Trauma, compressions, Quadrilateral Space Syndrome (QSS) |
This article will discuss the anatomy and content of the anatomical spaces of the pectoral region.
- Suprascapular foramen
- Quadrangular space
- (Upper) triangular space
- Triangular interval (lower triangular space)
- Clinical aspects
- Sources
Suprascapular foramen
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/suprascapular-notch-1/GvkdqqdH9TggKLdEUSBw_Incisura_scapulae_magni.png "Scapular notch (Incisura scapulae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-suprascapularis/blutRPNhXKyITcYG2MPa4A_Suprascapular_nerve.png "Suprascapular nerve (Nervus suprascapularis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-suprascapularis/hZ5QGv13XhclyzhIdQ5w_Suprascapular_artery.png "Suprascapular artery (Arteria suprascapularis); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
The suprascapular foramen is situated at the superior lateral border of the scapula. It is bordered superiorly by the superior transverse scapular ligament and inferiorly by the suprascapular notch.
The foramen is the passage way for the suprascapular nerve (travelling under the ligament), originating from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. The suprascapular artery travels adjacent to the nerve, above the ligament.
Use the following mnemonic to easily remember how the suprascapular artery and nerve are related to each other.
Airforce above, Navy below
- Artery (suprascapular) runs above the ligament
- Nerve (suprascapular) runs below the ligament
Quadrangular space
Located in the axilla, the quadrangular space is bordered superiorly by subscapularis muscle (by teres minor muscle when viewed posteriorly), inferiorly by teres major muscle, laterally by the surgical neck of the humerus and medially by the long head of triceps brachii muscle.
The axillary nerve and the posterior circumflex humoral artery (PCHA) travel posteriorly through the quadrangular space to gain access to the posterior division of the pectoral girdle where they both supply the deltoid.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-axillaris/3s34EAuDQYLvEOFz1AngOA_Axillary_nerve_-_magnified.png "Axillary nerve (Nervus axillaris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/arteria-circumflexa-humeri-posterior/pXSgtL9LpAajMeKMBvfhqQ_Posterior_circumflex_humeral_artery__-_magnified.png "Posterior circumflex humeral artery (Arteria circumflexa posterior humeri); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-deltoideus/uocvsEB1mv28x3rpCNcOOA_M._deltoideus_01.png "Deltoid muscle (Musculus deltoideus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
(Upper) triangular space
The (upper) triangular space acts as a conduit between the anterior axillary compartment and the posterior scapular segment. The superior border of teres major muscle forms the inferior border of the space. The inferior border of teres minor forms the superior border of the space when viewed posteriorly; but when viewed anteriorly, the superior border of the space is formed by the inferior border of subscapularis. Finally, the space is bounded laterally by the medial border of the long head of triceps brachii muscle.
The circumflex scapular artery passes through this space to join the scapular anastomoses.
:background_color(FFFFFF):format(jpeg)/images/library/5083/DFXsOZxZ7xicyhLT9bS8Q_Circumflex_scapular_artery.png){kind=logo}
Triangular interval (lower triangular space)
In a technical sense, the triangular interval lies outside the axilla since it is situated below the inferior border of teres major muscle (the lowest boundary of the axilla). Therefore, this space acts as a pathway between the anterior and posterior divisions of the arm, as well as between the posterior part of the arm and the axilla. It is bordered laterally by the shaft of the humerus and medially by the lateral border of the long head of triceps brachii muscle.
The profunda brachii artery and the radial nerve pass through this space to enter the arm.
Clinical aspects
The most common pathologies associated with these spaces are a result of compression caused by trauma, hyperplasia or hypertrophy. Compression of the suprascapular nerve results in paralysis to both supraspinatus & infraspinatus muscles. Supraspinatus is also commonly damaged during birth along with the axillary & musculocutaneous nerves, producing a defect known as Erb’s Palsy.
Neurovascular compression in the quadrangular space can result in Quadrilateral [Quadrangular] Space Syndrome (QSS). It is an uncommon condition that affects athletes. There are four hallmark signs that are associated with QSS. They are:
- Shoulder pain that is poorly localized.
- Paresthesia not associated with the dermatomes.
- Positive arteriogram revealing an occluded PCHA while the affected shoulder is abducted or externally rotated.
- Discrete point tenderness in the area of the quadrangular space.
Anatomical spaces of the pectoral region: want to learn more about it?
Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.
What do you prefer to learn with?
“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.”
–
Read more.
Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
