Shoulder Girdle Practice Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards cover the anatomy, joints, ligaments, motions, and musculature of the shoulder girdle as described in Chapter 12 of Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy.

Shoulder Girdle

A functional unit consisting of the sternum, clavicle, scapula, sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, and scapulothoracic joint.

Shoulder (glenohumeral) joint

The articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus.

Elevation

A shoulder girdle motion where the scapula moves superiorly.

Depression

A shoulder girdle motion where the scapula moves inferiorly.

Protraction

A shoulder girdle motion where the scapula moves away from the vertebral column.

Retraction

A shoulder girdle motion where the scapula moves toward the vertebral column.

Upward rotation

Rotation of the inferior angle of the scapula laterally and superiorly.

Downward rotation

Rotation of the inferior angle of the scapula medially and inferiorly.

Scapular tilt

The rotation of the inferior angle of the scapula posteriorly.

Scapular winging

The movement of the medial border of the scapula posteriorly.

Plane of the Scapula

An orientation approximately $30$ degrees forward of the frontal plane.

Scapulohumeral Rhythm

A $2:1$ ratio describing the relationship of shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint movement; after the first $30$ degrees of abduction, every $2$ degrees of shoulder abduction must be accompanied by $1$ degree of scapular upward rotation.

Articular disk (SC joint)

A structure that provides shock absorption and divides the sternoclavicular joint into upper and lower portions.

Acromioclavicular ligament

Connects the lateral end of the clavicle to the acromion of the scapula; includes superior and inferior portions.

Coracoclavicular ligament

Connects the superior surface of the coracoid process to the inferior lateral end of the clavicle, consisting of a lateral trapezoid portion and a medial conoid portion.

Coracoacromial ligament

Connects the lateral superior surface of the coracoid process to the inferior surface of the acromion, forming a roof over the head of the humerus.

Upper Trapezius

Muscle originating at the external occipital protuberance and cervical spinous processes, inserting on the lateral third of the clavicle and acromion; performs scapular elevation, upward rotation, and retraction.

Middle Trapezius

Muscle originating from spinous processes of $C7$ through $T3$ and inserting on the medial aspect of the acromion and spine of the scapula; performs scapular retraction and upward rotation.

Lower Trapezius

Muscle originating from spinous processes of $T4$ through $T12$ and inserting at the base of the spine of the scapula; performs scapular depression, upward rotation, and retraction.

Levator Scapula

Muscle originating from the transverse processes of $C1$ through $C4$ and inserting at the vertebral border of the scapula; performs scapular elevation and downward rotation.

Rhomboid Muscles

Muscles originating from spinous processes of $C7$ through $T5$ and inserting on the vertebral border of the scapula; they perform scapular retraction, elevation, and downward rotation.

Serratus Anterior

Muscle originating from the lateral surface of the $1st$ through $8th$ ribs and inserting on the anterior surface of the vertebral border of the scapula; performs scapular protraction and upward rotation.

Pectoralis Minor

Muscle originating from the anterior surface of the $3rd$ through $5th$ ribs and inserting on the coracoid process; performs scapular depression, protraction, downward rotation, and tilt.

Force Couple for Upward Rotation

The combined synergistic action of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior.

Force Couple for Downward Rotation

The combined synergistic action of the rhomboids, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor.