Origin: The suprascapular nerve arises from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus, which contains fibers from spinal cord segments C5 and C6.
Course: The nerve emerges from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus in the neck, runs laterally through the posterior triangle, and then through the scapular notch to the posterior scapular region. It continues inferiorly and laterally, passing through the spinoglenoid notch, also known as the greater scapular notch, to reach the inferior scapular region.
Branches: Shortly after passing through the scapular notch, an unnamed branch of the suprascapular nerve runs medially into the supraspinatus muscle. After passing through the spinoglenoid notch, the nerve branches into a lateral extension supplying the glenohumeral joint and a medial branch innervating the infraspinatus muscle.
Supplied Structures: The suprascapular nerve is a mixed nerve consisting of both sensory and motor fibers. The sensory branches innervate the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints. The motor branches innervate the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
