Coracoid process

The coracoid process of the scapula is at least partly visible from both the anterior and posterior views (surfaces) of the scapula bone, which is also known as the shoulder blade. It is partially visible in the posterior view below but is shown more clearly in the anterior view. Some textbooks also include a lateral view of the human scapula bone, from which the coracoid process is even more clearly identifiable.

Where does the name come from ?

Unlike some of the features of the scapula bone (listed on the left), the term 'coracoid process' does not describe or refer to the location of this feature, which is a protrusion ('process' is generally 'a raised area or projection'). Instead, the expression 'coracoid process' is derived from the thought of early anatomists who likened the shape of the coracoid process to that of a crow's beak - i.e. a crow as in a moderately sized common black bird - much larger than a blackbird.

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The coracoid process articulates with the humerus (upper-arm) and clavicle ('collar') bones.

The coracoid process forms a point of attachment to several muscles, specifically the short head of biceps, the coraco brachialis, the pectoralis minor and also the the *costo-coracoid and *conoid ligaments.

* dated terminology, as used in Gray's Anatomy (1901).
More recent textbooks mention the coracoclavicular ligament, the coracoacromial ligament, the coracohumeral ligament and the superior transverse scapular ligament.

For more about this and related topics see the links to other features on the scapula bone listed on the left and the pages about the scapula bone and about bone markings and features on bones.