The suprascapular notch is spanned by the suprascapular ligament, beneath which the suprascapular nerve passes. Ossification of this ligament has been associated with suprascapular nerve entrapment and shoulder dysfunction. This study quantified the prevalence, degree, laterality, and demographic associations of suprascapular ligament ossification in a cadaveric population. Thirty-two scapulae from 16 formalin-fixed donors were dissected bilaterally. Ossification was classified using a three-point ordinal rubric (none, partial, complete) based on tactile assessment and blunt probe testing. Following independent evaluation and subsequent adjudication, consensus classification was used for analysis. Prevalence estimates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Side, sex, and age associations were assessed using paired and regression analyses. Any ossification was identified in 26 of 32 scapulae (81.3%; 95% CI, 63.6–92.8%), with complete ossification observed in 14 scapulae (43.8%; 95% CI, 26.4–62.3%). At the donor level, 14 of 16 donors (87.5%; 95% CI, 61.7–98.4%) demonstrated any degree of ossification, including 12 with bilateral involvement (75%). Complete ossification on at least one side was present in 8 donors (50%), including 6 with bilateral complete ossification (37.5%). No significant left–right or sex-based differences were observed. Increasing age demonstrated a moderate positive association with ossification severity (ρ = 0.43; p = 0.097). Based on this data, we conclude that suprascapular ligament ossification is common, frequently bilateral, and may increase with age. These findings support interpretation of ossification as a prevalent anatomical variant and provide quantitative data relevant to suprascapular notch morphology and potential nerve compression.
