A 30-year-old man sustains a fracture of the left scapula involving the suprascapular notch. He has difficulty initiating shoulder abduction and weakness of external rotation, but deltoid strength is normal. Which muscles are denervated?
- A Deltoid and teres minor
- B Supraspinatus and infraspinatus ✓
- C Subscapularis and teres major
- D Serratus anterior and rhomboid major
Correct answer: B. Supraspinatus and infraspinatus
Explanation
The suprascapular nerve from the upper trunk (C5-C6) passes beneath the superior transverse scapular ligament at the suprascapular notch to supply supraspinatus, which initiates abduction, and infraspinatus, a lateral rotator. Deltoid and teres minor are supplied by the axillary nerve around the surgical neck, so their preservation localises the lesion to the notch.
Reference: Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.