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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Scapula Quiz: Identify Landmarks, Borders, and Joints

Quick, free scapula anatomy quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Leticia VicottiUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for scapula parts quiz on a coral background

This quiz helps you identify scapula landmarks, borders, and joints so you can check your understanding for class, lab, or review. Practice naming surfaces and attachment points, then see how they work in the shoulder. For more practice, try our scapula labeling quiz, explore the shoulder girdle anatomy quiz, or finish with a quick shoulder joint quiz.

Which bony projection of the scapula forms the highest point of the shoulder and articulates with the clavicle at the AC joint?
Scapular spine root
Glenoid cavity
Coracoid process
Acromion (Correct. It projects laterally and articulates with the clavicle to form the acromioclavicular joint)
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The glenoid cavity primarily articulates with which structure to form a synovial joint of the shoulder complex?
Manubrium of the sternum
Head of the humerus (Correct. Together they form the glenohumeral joint)
First rib head
Distal clavicle
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The supraspinous fossa of the scapula is located in which region relative to the scapular spine?
Medial to the glenoid cavity
Superior to the spine (Correct. It lies above the spine and houses supraspinatus)
Anterior to the subscapular fossa
Inferior to the spine
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Which border of the scapula is closest to the vertebral column in anatomical position?
Lateral (axillary) border
Medial (vertebral) border (Correct. It parallels the thoracic spine)
Inferolateral border
Superior border
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Which surface of the scapula faces the rib cage and serves as the origin of the subscapularis muscle?
Subscapular (costal) surface (Correct. The subscapular fossa lies on the costal surface)
Supraspinous surface
Glenoid surface
Dorsal surface
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The lateral angle of the scapula includes which key articular feature?
Suprascapular notch
Glenoid cavity (Correct. The lateral angle expands to form the glenoid)
Coracoid apex
Acromion
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The coracoid process serves as the origin for which muscle tendon?
Long head of biceps brachii
Supraspinatus
Short head of biceps brachii (Correct. Along with coracobrachialis origin at the coracoid)
Teres minor
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The infraglenoid tubercle is the origin for which muscle?
Deltoid (posterior fibers)
Long head of biceps brachii
Long head of triceps brachii (Correct. It originates from the infraglenoid tubercle)
Teres major
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Which two structures form the coracoacromial arch that can impinge on the rotator cuff?
Scapular spine and clavicle
Glenoid and acromion
Acromion and coracoid process (via the coracoacromial ligament) (Correct. They create an osseoligamentous arch)
Clavicle and coracoid process (via coracoclavicular ligament)
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Relative to the glenoid, where is the supraglenoid tubercle located?
Superior to the glenoid rim (Correct. It gives origin to the long head of biceps)
Lateral to the acromial angle
Inferior to the glenoid rim
Anterior to the coracoid base
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Which ligament pair composes the coracoclavicular ligament complex stabilizing the AC joint vertically?
Superior and inferior AC ligaments
Glenohumeral superior and middle ligaments
Transverse humeral and coracoacromial ligaments
Conoid and trapezoid ligaments (Correct. They suspend the clavicle from the coracoid)
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Which muscle inserts along the medial border of the scapula to produce protraction when contracting?
Rhomboid major
Levator scapulae
Serratus anterior (Correct. Inserts on the costal aspect of the medial border)
Teres minor
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The scapular notch transmitting the suprascapular nerve is typically bridged by which ligament?
Inferior transverse scapular ligament
Superior transverse scapular ligament (Correct. It spans the suprascapular notch)
Costocoracoid ligament
Coracoacromial ligament
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The spinoglenoid notch transmits which neurovascular structure deep to the posterior shoulder?
Radial nerve and profunda brachii artery
Circumflex scapular artery only
Suprascapular nerve and artery (Correct. They traverse the spinoglenoid notch to infraspinatus)
Axillary nerve alone
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The suprascapular nerve typically passes over the superior transverse scapular ligament at the suprascapular notch.
False
True
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Which ligament completes a foramen for the suprascapular nerve at the suprascapular notch?
Trapezoid ligament
Inferior glenohumeral ligament
Superior transverse scapular ligament (Correct. It converts the notch into a foramen)
Transverse humeral ligament
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The acromial angle is located at which transition point?
Where the lateral border of the acromion meets its curved posterior margin (Correct. A palpable landmark)
On the medial border near the superior angle
Between the coracoid apex and base
At the junction of supraglenoid and infraglenoid tubercles
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The scapula develops exclusively via endochondral ossification.
False
True
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An unfused os acromiale represents failure of fusion of secondary ossification centers of the acromion.
False
True
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The glenoid cavity normally has slight retroversion relative to the scapular body.
False
True
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Scapula Landmarks -

    Learn to recognize and label major scapular features such as the spine, acromion, coracoid process, and glenoid cavity when preparing for the scapula parts quiz.

  2. Differentiate Shoulder Girdle Joints -

    Distinguish between the sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulothoracic joints, enhancing your shoulder girdle anatomy quiz accuracy.

  3. Explain Scapulothoracic Mechanics -

    Understand the movement patterns of the scapula against the thoracic wall, including elevation, depression, protraction, and retraction.

  4. Describe Glenohumeral Movements -

    Detail the primary motions of the glenohumeral joint such as abduction, adduction, rotation, and flexion for improved quiz performance.

  5. Analyze Sternoclavicular and Acromioclavicular Joints -

    Explore the structural differences and functional roles of these joints in shoulder stability and motion.

  6. Apply Knowledge to Quiz Challenges -

    Use your understanding of scapular anatomy and shoulder girdle mechanics to confidently tackle each question in the scapula parts quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Scapular Borders and Angles -

    When preparing for the scapula parts quiz, focus on the three borders (superior, medial, lateral) and three angles (superior, lateral/glenoid, inferior). A handy mnemonic "SLI" helps recall Superior, Lateral, and Inferior angles in sequence. Visual models from Gray's Anatomy reinforce spatial orientation and landmark identification.

  2. Sternoclavicular Joint Mechanics -

    The saddle-shaped sternoclavicular joint allows elevation, depression, protraction, and retraction of the clavicle, key for clavicular motion in the shoulder girdle anatomy quiz. With about 45° of elevation and 15° of depression, rotational movements support full overhead reach. Reviewing diarthrodial classification from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons sharpens accuracy for your sternoclavicular joint quiz sections.

  3. Acromioclavicular Joint Stability -

    The acromioclavicular joint is a plane synovial articulation reinforced by the conoid and trapezoid ligaments of the coracoclavicular complex, often highlighted in the acromioclavicular joint test. Recognizing ligamentous grading I - III in AC separation aids clinical decision-making. Cross-referencing University of California biomechanics modules or Netter's Atlas enhances memorization.

  4. Scapulothoracic Movement Patterns -

    Although not a true synovial joint, the scapulothoracic articulation permits upward/downward rotation, protraction/retraction, and elevation/depression, central to any scapulothoracic anatomy quiz. A memorable cue "UP-DE-PRO" stands for Upward Rotation, Depression, and Protraction. Reviewing kinematics in the Journal of Anatomy clarifies how these motions integrate during arm abduction.

  5. Glenohumeral Joint and Scapulohumeral Rhythm -

    The ball-and-socket glenohumeral joint allows flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation with stability from the rotator cuff muscles - vital for the glenohumeral joint anatomy quiz. Remember the 2:1 scapulohumeral rhythm: every 3° of arm elevation comprises 2° at the GH joint and 1° of scapular rotation. Incorporating this formula from orthopedic texts ensures mastery of dynamic shoulder mechanics.

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