The term 'nervus suprascapularis' refers to the nerve that supplies the shoulder blade, known as the suprascapular nerve in English. In terms of pronunciation, the word is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /nɛrvəs supræskæpjʊˈlærɪs/. This transliteration represents the sounds of the word as spoken phonetically, including the long 'a' in 'supra', the hard 'c' in 'scapularis', and the emphasis on the second syllable of 'suprascapularis'. Students of medicine and biology are likely to encounter this term in their studies.
The nervus suprascapularis, also known as the suprascapular nerve, is a major peripheral nerve of the upper limb found in the human body. It arises from the spinal roots of the brachial plexus, specifically the ventral rami of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves (C5 and C6) that originate from the lower part of the neck.
This nerve courses through the suprascapular notch, which is located above the scapula, and then descends underneath the superior transverse scapular ligament. It innervates two important muscles in the shoulder region, namely the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
The suprascapular nerve provides sensory innervation to the glenohumeral joint, which is the main joint connecting the arm to the shoulder, and the acromioclavicular joint, which is the joint between the clavicle and the scapula. It also contributes to motor innervation of the deltoid muscle, which allows for arm abduction, and the teres minor muscle, which aids in shoulder external rotation.
Damage or compression of the nervus suprascapularis can lead to significant motor deficits and shoulder pain. Symptoms of suprascapular nerve entrapment or injury include weakness in shoulder abduction and external rotation, as well as pain spreading from the shoulder region to the neck and upper back.
In summary, the nervus suprascapularis is a vital nerve of the upper limb that innervates key muscles and joints in the shoulder region, playing an important role in shoulder movement and stability.
Suprascapular nerve, arises from the 5th and 6th cervical, passes downward parallel to the cords of the brachial plexus, then through the suprascapular foramen, supplying the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, and also sending branches to the shoulder joint.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word nervus suprascapularis is a Latin term composed of two parts.
The term nervus translates to nerve in English and has its roots in the Latin word nervus, which means string or sinew. This highlights the association of nerves with the concept of strings or sinews, which were used metaphorically to describe their structure.
The second part, suprascapularis, is derived from two Latin words: supra, meaning above or over, and scapula, meaning shoulder blade. These terms indicate the location of the nerve, being above or over the shoulder blade.
Therefore, nervus suprascapularis can be understood as the Latin term for the nerve above the shoulder blade.