The spine is the prominent, dorsal ridge of bone that courses obliquely upward from the upper medial border to the acromion laterally. It forms a strong I-beam strut that helps the plate-like scapula resist bending forces. It divides the posterior surface of the bone into two fossae, one in the upper third and the other in the lower two-thirds. The spine provides muscle attachment to the deltoid and trapezius muscles.

The term spine comes from the Latin spina meaning a thorn. The spines of the vertebrae formed the most palpable elements in this chain of bones leading to, as early as the 14th Century, the name spinal column. Since the spinal or vertebral column is a column of support, the term spine took on the secondary meaning of a column of support. The spine of the scapula is the support column for this bone.

Columna vertebralis

Épine

Colonne vertébrale

Columna vertebral