scapula

[ skap-yuh-luh ]

noun

, plural scap·u·las, scap·u·lae [skap, -y, uh, -lee].

1. Anatomy. either of two flat, triangular bones, each forming the back part of a shoulder in humans; shoulder blade.
2. Zoology. a dorsal bone of the pectoral girdle.

scapula

/ ˈskæpjʊlə /

noun

1. either of two large flat triangular bones, one on each side of the back part of the shoulder in man Nontechnical nameshoulder blade
2. the corresponding bone in most vertebrates

scapula

/ skăp′yə-lə /

, Plural scapulae skăp′yə-lē′

1. Either of two flat, triangular bones forming part of the shoulder. In humans and other primates, the scapulae lie on the upper part of the back on either side of the spine.
2. Also called shoulder blade
3. See more at skeleton

Word History and Origins

Origin of scapula¹

1570–80; < Latin: shoulder

Word History and Origins

Origin of scapula¹

C16: from Late Latin: shoulder

Example Sentences

Arunong had a fractured scapula, her lungs were not taking in sufficient oxygen, and the wound on her forehead went down to her skull, a detective wrote.

From Seattle Times

But in his third MLB start on Aug. 20, Hancock felt a familiar twinge in the back of his shoulder near the scapula.

From Seattle Times

The discomfort is in the teres major, which is a small muscle that runs lateral to the scapula.

From Seattle Times

After suffering a life-threatening car accident in 2021, breaking three ribs, her scapula and her jaw, the saxophonist scaled new compositional heights during recovery, channeling them into 2023’s appropriately titled and critically acclaimed “Phoenix.”

From Seattle Times

Two minutes after we arrived, I looked down and sure enough, there was a human femur and scapula.

From Science Magazine