MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF SUPRASCAPULAR NOTCH IN DRIED BONES, AND ITS MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS.

Abstract

Objectives:This study aimed to see variations in shapes and sizes of the suprascapular notch as these characteristics may be the root cause of nerve compression in medicolegal cases and to explore its potential medicolegal implications for identification in mass disasters.

Methods:In this study, 102 dried human bones were selected. The scapulae were examined for changes in morphology in shape. By using a digital vernier caliper, the vertical (VD) and transverse dimensions (TD) of the notch were measured.

Results:There were 43 scapulae with a 'J' shape (39.1%), 35 scapulae with 'U' shape (31.81%), 10 'V' shaped (9.00%), eight cases of indentation (7.27%), five cases of absence (4.54%), four cases of partial STSL ossification, and five cases of full ossification. After excluding the scapulae with indentation and incomplete ligament ossification, the findings were also classified according to Natsis. Sixty-six scapulae (67.34%) had Type II, 14 scapulae (14.28%) had Type III, five (5.1%) had Type IV, and none (0.0%) had Type V. Five (5.1%) of the scapulae were Type I. 

Conclusion:This study has revealed several types of suprascapular notches. Since anatomical variances are frequent throughout the population, clinicians and medicolegal experts must have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the suprascapular notch before making diagnosis and organizing surgical procedures for suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The findings also provide  insights into the anatomical variability of the notch, which can be utilized in forensic anthropology and mass disaster victim identification protocols.

Keywords: Suprascapular notch(SSN). Nerve decompression, Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament(STSL), Forensic anthropology, Mass disaster.