Shoulder Anatomy and Pathologies

Vocabulary flashcards covering shoulder anatomy, osteology, muscle origins/innervations/actions, arthrokinematics, and associated clinical pathologies.

Scaption

Movement similar to shoulder flexion and abduction occurring in the scapular plane, approximately 30 dg anterior to the frontal plane.

Glenoid Labrum

A fibrocartilage ring attached to the rim of the glenoid fossa that deepens the articular cavity to add joint stability.

Close-Packed Position (Glenohumeral Joint)

The position of joint orientation occurring at 90 dg abduction and full lateral rotation.

Loose-Packed Position (Glenohumeral Joint)

The resting joint position occurring at 55 dg abduction and 30 dg horizontal adduction.

Coracohumeral Ligament

Ligament running from the lateral side of the coracoid process to the medial side of the greater tubercle, strengthening the anterior/superior portion of the joint capsule.

Rotator Cuff

A tendinous band formed by the tendons of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

A superficial fibrous sheet (lumbar aponeurosis) that forms a broad attachment place for the latissimus dorsi.

Deltoid Muscle

Triangular muscle innervated by the axillary nerve (C5, C6) that inserts into the deltoid tuberosity and consists of anterior, middle, and posterior portions.

Pectoralis Major Muscle

Chest muscle innervated by lateral and medial pectoral nerves, featuring a clavicular portion (flexion in first 60 dg) and a sternal portion (extension in first 60 dg from full flexion).

Latissimus Dorsi Muscle

Superficial, sheet-like muscle innervated by the thoracodorsal nerve (C6, C7, C8) performing shoulder extension, adduction, medial rotation, and hyperextension.

Teres Major Muscle

Muscle innervated by the lower subscapular nerve (C5, C6, C7) that travels with latissimus dorsi through the axilla to perform shoulder extension, adduction, and medial rotation.

Supraspinatus Muscle

Muscle lying above the spine of the scapula, innervated by the suprascapular nerve (C5, C6), that performs abduction and stabilizes the head of the humerus in the glenoid fossa.

Infraspinatus Muscle

Rotator cuff muscle innervated by the suprascapular nerve (C5, C6) that performs shoulder lateral rotation and horizontal abduction.

Teres Minor Muscle

Rotator cuff muscle innervated by the axillary nerve (C5, C6) that performs shoulder lateral rotation and horizontal abduction.

Subscapularis Muscle

Rotator cuff muscle located on the anterior surface of the scapula, innervated by upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5, C6), performing medial rotation and adduction.

Coracobrachialis Muscle

Muscle running from the coracoid process to the medial surface of the humerus, innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (C6, C7), that stabilizes the humeral head in the glenoid fossa.

Shoulder Force Couple

Biomechanical relationship in which the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles pull in different directions to cause rotation resulting in abduction of the humerus.

Clavicular Fracture

Fracture usually caused by a fall onto the lateral aspect of the shoulder or a FOOSH injury, with about 80% occurring at the midshaft of the clavicle.

Humeral Neck Fracture

Injury typically caused by a FOOSH injury, presenting as an impacted fracture in the elderly population.

Pathological Fracture

A fracture caused by benign or metastatic tumors, disease, or aging.

Glenohumeral Subluxation

Partial joint dislocation caused by muscle weakness or paralysis of rotator cuff muscles (common in CVA due to supraspinatus/deltoid paralysis), typically occurring anteriorly and/or inferiorly.

Glenohumeral Dislocation

Total loss of joint congruity, typically traumatic in origin and most commonly occurring anteriorly.

Adhesive Capsulitis

Also known as 'frozen shoulder,' a condition where scarring and adhesions around the shoulder lead to pain, inflammation, and decreased motion.

Impingement Syndrome

Compression of soft tissue between the acromial arch and the head of the humerus, divided into primary subacromial and secondary subacromial impingement.

Calcific Tendonitis

Condition marked by the accumulation of mineral deposits within a tendon.

Bicipital Tendonitis

Inflammation of the long head of the biceps tendon where it crosses the humeral head and changes direction, which may eventually result in tendon rupture.