scapula
noun
scap·u·la
ˈska-pyə-lə 
plural scapulae
ˈska-pyə-ˌlē
-ˌlī
or scapulas
-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
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That abduction overstretches and weakens the muscles that control the scapula, including the middle traps, lower traps, and rhomboids, which can lead to pain and increase injury risk in the upper back and shoulders.
—
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
The bicyclist was diagnosed with a brain bleed, eight broken ribs, a fractured clavicle and scapula and tear in the carotid artery.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
The imbalance, caused by the weight, works its way up my arm to the muscles of my shoulder, my scapula pulling my neck, my neck pulling my clavicle, my clavicle pulling my ribs; and then my spine has to compensate.
—John Haskell, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In his final season with the Mets the following year, he was limited to 11 starts after sustaining a stress reaction in the scapula of his right shoulder.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
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Jenny McCoy, SELF, 25 Aug. 2025
The bicyclist was diagnosed with a brain bleed, eight broken ribs, a fractured clavicle and scapula and tear in the carotid artery.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
The imbalance, caused by the weight, works its way up my arm to the muscles of my shoulder, my scapula pulling my neck, my neck pulling my clavicle, my clavicle pulling my ribs; and then my spine has to compensate.
—John Haskell, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
In his final season with the Mets the following year, he was limited to 11 starts after sustaining a stress reaction in the scapula of his right shoulder.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scapula
Cite this Entry
“Scapula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scapula. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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Medical Definition
scapula
noun
scap·u·la
ˈskap-yə-lə
: 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
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