Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint: Bones and Their Articulations, Lecture notes of Anatomy

Download Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint: Bones and Their Articulations and more Lecture notes Anatomy in PDF only on Docsity! Bones & Joints of the Shoulder The bones of the shoulder consist of the humerus (the upper arm bone), the scapula (the shoulder blade), and the clavicle (the collar bone). The clavicle is the only bony attachment between the trunk and the upper limb. It forms the front portion of the shoulder girdle and is palpable along its entire length with a gentle S- shaped contour. The clavicle articulates at one end with the sternum (chest bone) and with the acromion of the scapula at the other. This articulation between the acromial end of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula forms the roof of the shoulder. The scapula is a large, flat triangular bone with three processes called the acromion, spine and coracoid process. It forms the back portion of the shoulder girdle. The spine (which is located at the back of the scapula) and the acromion can be readily palpated on a patient. The flat blade of the scapula glides along the back of the chest allowing for extended movement of the arm. The coracoid process is a thick curved structure that projects from the scapula and is the attachment point of ligaments and muscles. The scapula is also marked by a shallow, somewhat comma-shaped glenoid cavity , which articulates with the head of the humerus.