scapula

noun

scap·​u·​la ˈska-pyə-lə How to pronounce scapula (audio)
plural scapulae ˈska-pyə-ˌlē How to pronounce scapula (audio)
-ˌlī
or scapulas
: either of a pair of large triangular bones lying one in each dorsal lateral part of the thorax, being the principal bone of the corresponding half of the shoulder girdle, and articulating with the corresponding clavicle or coracoid

called also shoulder blade

Examples of scapula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Until the last two weeks, San Diego State has not done enough to keep all those scapulas locked in place. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2023 More Than Just Scaffolding The average adult body is armed with around 206 bones, from the scapula to the sternum to the sacrum. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 He was plagued with elbow inflammation in 2021 and a scapula injury delayed his 2022 season. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 7 June 2023 Pro Tips For Strengthening Your Chest Retract your scapula. Women's Health Editors, Women's Health, 14 June 2023 That was merely the undercard to the $86 million duo of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer combining for just 15 starts due to shoulder strain/neck spasms/scapula/sticky substance issues. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 6 June 2023 However, the injury to Verlander's teres muscle, which connects the scapula to the upper arm, flared up during a bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon. Matthew Kitchen, Chron, 30 Mar. 2023 Right forearm tightness led to him missing the entire second half of the 2021 season; a stress reaction on his right scapula limited him to 64.1 innings last year. Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 29 Apr. 2023 There was the inflamed elbow, forearm tightness, wrist soreness to back tightness, neck tightness and a stress reaction in his scapula. Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scapula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, shoulder blade, shoulder

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scapula was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near scapula

Cite this Entry

“Scapula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scapula. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scapula

noun
scap·​u·​la ˈskap-yə-lə How to pronounce scapula (audio)
plural scapulae -ˌlē How to pronounce scapula (audio)
-ˌlī
or scapulas

Medical Definition

scapula

noun
scap·​u·​la ˈskap-yə-lə How to pronounce scapula (audio)
plural scapulae -ˌlē How to pronounce scapula (audio) -ˌlī How to pronounce scapula (audio) or scapulas
: either of a pair of large essentially flat and triangular bones lying one in each dorsolateral part of the thorax, being the principal bone of the corresponding half of the shoulder girdle, divided on the posterior surface into the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae by an oblique transverse bony process or spine terminating in the acromion, having a hook-shaped bony coracoid process on the anterior surface of the superior border of the bone, providing articulation for the humerus, and articulating with the corresponding clavicle

called also shoulder blade

More from Merriam-Webster on scapula

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