Which fossa is the hollow depressed area beneath the scapular spine?

Which fossa is the hollow depressed area beneath the scapular spine?

• A. Supraspinous fossa
• B. Infraspinous fossa
• C. Subscapular fossa
• D. Infrascapular fossa

Answer: (B)

The hollow area beneath the scapular spine is the infraspinous fossa. On the scapula’s posterior surface, the spine divides it into two hollows: above the spine is the supraspinous fossa, and below the spine is the infraspinous fossa. The prefix infra- means below, and spinous refers to the spine, so the term literally describes the depression below the spine. This region is the origin area for the infraspinatus muscle. The other fossae are in different locations: the supraspinous fossa is above the spine, the subscapular fossa is on the anterior surface, and infrascapular fossa is not a standard anatomical term.

The hollow area beneath the scapular spine is the infraspinous fossa. On the scapula’s posterior surface, the spine divides it into two hollows: above the spine is the supraspinous fossa, and below the spine is the infraspinous fossa. The prefix infra- means below, and spinous refers to the spine, so the term literally describes the depression below the spine. This region is the origin area for the infraspinatus muscle. The other fossae are in different locations: the supraspinous fossa is above the spine, the subscapular fossa is on the anterior surface, and infrascapular fossa is not a standard anatomical term.