Background: The size and shape of the suprascapular notch (SSN) may be a risk factor in suprascapular nerve entrapment. Objectives: to determine the variations of the SSN. Design: cross-sectional, anatomical study. Method: 192 human scapulae were included in the study. Two measurements were defined and collected for every SSN: maximal vertical diameter, maximal transverse diameter. Results: 5 types (after Natsis) of SSN were observed: type I, without a discret notch, 63 (32.8 percent)
type II, a notch that was longer in its transverse diameter, 92 (47.9 percent)
type III, a notch that was longer in its vertical diameter, 33 (17.2 percent)
type IV, a bony foramen, 4 (2,1 percent)
type V, a notch and a bony foramen, zero. Conclusion: This simple classification included all the anatomical variations of the SSN. Using this method, the clinician will be able to define easily and quickly the notch type on a plain radiograph, and perhaps be able to correlate suprascapular nerve entrapment with a specific type of SSN.