a. Anat. [ad. mod.L. suprāspīnōsus, f. L. suprā SUPRA- 1 b + spīna SPINE.] Situated above or upon a spine.
a. = SUPRASPINAL 2.
1828. Quain, Elem. Anat., 374. The supra-spinatus is placed at the superior part of the shoulder in the supra-spinous fossa of the scapula.
1876. Trans. Clinical Soc., IX. 151. On percussion there was absolute dulness in the left sub-clavian and supra-spinous regions.
b. Situated above or upon the spinous processes of the vertebræ.
1828. Quain, Elem. Anat., 152. The supra-spinous ligament consists of small, compressed bundles of longitudinal fibres, which connect the summits of the spinous processes.
1875. Sir W. Turner, in Encycl. Brit., I. 835/1. Inter- and supra-spinous ligaments connect adjacent spinous processes, and in the neck the supra-spinous ligament forms a broad band.