Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Shoulder blade
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Shoulder blade: The familiar flat triangular bone at the back of the shoulder. Known familiarly as the wingbone or, medically, as the scapula.
The word "scapula" (with the accent on the first syllable) is Latin. The Romans always employed the plural "scapulae", the shoulder blades. Because the shoulder blade resembles the blade of a trowel (a small shovel), the word "scapula" is thought to have come from the Greek "skaptein" meaning "to dig."