title: ANATOMICAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE SUPRASCAPULAR NERVE TO THE CORACOID PROCESS, ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT AND ACROMION.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the anatomical relationship of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) located in the suprascapular notch, to the medial border of the base of the coracoid process, the acromial joint surface of the acromioclavicular joint and the anterolateral border of the acromion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We dissected 16 shoulders of 16 cadavers (9 males and 7 females). The distances from the suprascapular nerve (at its passage beneath the transverse ligament) to certain fixed points on the medial border of the base of the coracoid process, the acromial joint surface of the acromioclavicular joint, and the anterolateral border of the acromion were measured with the aid of calipers and correlated with age and sex. Cadavers with previous surgical interventions were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean measurements from the notch of the suprascapular nerve were: 3.9 cm to the medial border of the base of the coracoid process (ranging from 3.1 cm to 5.2 cm); 4.7 cm to the acromioclavicular joint (ranging from 3.9 cm to 5.2 cm); and 6.1 cm to the anterolateral border of the acromion (ranging from 5.7 cm to 6.8 cm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accurate anatomical knowledge of the nerves of the anterior region of the shoulder is essential in order to avoid iatrogenic injuries and to achieve satisfactory results in surgical treatment for shoulder diseases, whether performed as open or arthroscopic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Third-year resident physician in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Federal University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Bernardo Barcellos
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Terra
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp) and member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.
authors.forename: Eric Figueiredo
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp) and member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.
authors.forename: Karina Levy
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp) and member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.
authors.forename: Nivaldo Souza Cardozo
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Attending physician at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp).
authors.forename: Gustavo Cará
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Attending physician at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp).
authors.forename: Carlos Vicente
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Andreoli
authors.affiliation: PhD in Orthopedics and Head of the Shoulder Group at the Sports Traumatology Center (Cete/Unifesp).
authors.forename: Benno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ejnisman
keywords: Anatomy; Brachial plexus; Shoulder