Does scapular elevation occur with glenohumeral flexion and abduction? a study through open magnetic resonance imaging and autopsy

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to reveal whether there is an elevation in scapula during flexion and abduction of the glenohumeral joint. Patients and methods: In the first stage of our study 32 subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The mobility of the scapular notch was examined using open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assay when the glenohumeral joint was in flexion in the first group (5 males, 10 females; mean age 21.1 years; range 18 to 24 years) and in abduction in the second group (8 males, 9 females; mean age 22.1 years; range 18 to 27 years) and the motion range was found to be between 0 and 150 degrees. In the second stage of our study, the mobilities of the scapular notch was examined on autopsy during passive humeral mobility. Results: According to the open MRI results, there was no elevation or depression during the passive flexion and abduction of the glenohumeral joint. While the scapular notch migrated slightly to the medial side during abduction of the glenohumeral joint, it did not move during flexion. Also in an autopsy study, we observed that scapula did not move in vertical direction during the glenohumeral abduction and flexion mobilities. Conclusion: There is no vertical mobility in the scapula during glenohumeral flexion and abduction. Also, there is no medial mobility during flexion except during abduction.