Conduction along the articular branch of the suprascapular nerve

Abstract

The maximum sensory conduction velocity was measured along the articular branch of the suprascapular nerve. The potential was evoked by stimulating in the perception area of the nerve above the glenohumeral joint and recorded by an electrode near the suprascapular nerve in the supraclavicular fossa. The maximum conduction velocity averaged 42 m/s, SD 4.6 m/s (20 normal subjects); it decreased slightly with age. When correcting for the error in distance arising from the measurement by obstetric calipers (20%), the maximum conduction velocity averaged 50 m/s. The peak‐to‐peak amplitude of the main component of the sensory potential was 0.8 μV, SD 0.5 μV. In one of seven patients with a pain syndrome in the shoulder secondary to a brachial plexus neuropathy the velocity and the amplitude of the sensory potential was diminished. In five other patients with pain in the region of the shoulder the conduction velocity was normal but the amplitude was diminished.

An anatomical study of the transverse part of the infraspinatus muscle that is closely related with the supraspinatus muscle

“…It is suggested that the transverse part may play only a supportive role in the infraspinatus function, and this part may stabilize the tendinous portion of the oblique part during the shoulder motion from above. The suprascapular nerve supplies the innervating branches to the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and also sends sensory branches to the coracohumeral and coracoacromial ligaments and the subacromial bursa, and acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints [2,19,26]. Some authors have reported cutaneous branches from the suprascapular nerve [2,17].…”

Suprascapular Nerve Block

“…The latter nerve is sensory and supplies the coracoclavicular, coracohumeral ligaments, the acromioclavicular joint, glenohumeral joint (posterior and superior aspects), and the subacromial bursa. 21,27,28 The main trunk then exits the suprascapular fossa by curving around the lateral border of the scapula spine through a fibro-osseous tunnel terminating in motor branches to the infraspinatus muscle 26,28 (Fig. 2).…”