A volleyball player presents with vague posterolateral shoulder pain and progressive weakness of external rotation. Examination shows wasting of infraspinatus but a normal bulk and strength of supraspinatus. MRI confirms a ganglion cyst compressing a nerve at the spinoglenoid notch. Which nerve is compressed?
- A Axillary nerve at the quadrangular space
- B Dorsal scapular nerve
- C Suprascapular nerve distal to the suprascapular notch ✓
- D Lower subscapular nerve
Correct answer: C. Suprascapular nerve distal to the suprascapular notch
Explanation
The suprascapular nerve passes through the suprascapular notch after supplying the supraspinatus and reaches infraspinatus by passing around the spinoglenoid notch. Compression at the spinoglenoid notch therefore affects only infraspinatus, producing isolated external rotation weakness with wasting. Compression proximal to the suprascapular notch would involve both rotator cuff muscles supplied by this nerve.
Reference: Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.