Function
Scapula attaches the upper arm to the trunk of the body. The attachment is a ball and socket joint. The head (ball like) of the bone of the arm is fits into the socket of the scapula. It forms one of the most flexible joints of the body. It allows you to raise, lower, push, pull and rotate your arm.
Disease/ Injury/ Fracture
The bone is well protected and injuries to the scapula are quite rare. If at all scapula is injured, it is usually as a result of blunt trauma to the bone, a hard fall, or a severe chest injury. The shoulder blade may be chipped or fracture in cases of motorcycle accidents or beatings in which the upper back is targeted. Winged scapula is an abnormal condition in which scapula does not lie flat, it protrudes off the shoulder looking like a tiny budding wing.
Interesting Facts
The scapula is also known as ‘wing bone’ due to appearance of the bone; it resembles the bird’s wing. Scapula is derived from Greek word skaptein meaning “ to dig” because it resembles the shovel used for digging.
