Translation guide
The scapula is the shoulder blade bone. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 肩甲骨 (けんこうこつ). This is used in everyday conversation, medical contexts, and anatomy. There is also a more technical term 肩胛骨 (けんこうこつ), which uses a different kanji but is read the same and is less common. For learners, 肩甲骨 is the recommended word.
Referring to the bone itself in neutral or medical contexts.
The standard term for scapula/shoulder blade. Used in everyday and medical Japanese.
肩甲骨を動かすストレッチ
stretches that move the shoulder blades
肩甲骨のあたりが痛い
The area around my shoulder blade hurts.
An alternative kanji for scapula, same reading. Rarely used; 肩甲骨 is preferred.
肩胛骨は肩甲骨と同じ骨です。
The 肩胛骨 is the same bone as the 肩甲骨.