Palpation Sites

Spine of scapula

-Shoulder stabilization

-Any shoulder movement (extension, flexion, adduction, abduction)

-scapula fracture

Acromion of scapula

-stabilizes the shoulder

-articulates with the acromioclavicular joint and clavicle

-acromioclavicular ligament sprain

-Shoulder impingement syndrome

Coracoid process of scapula

-shoulder stabilization

-serves as a muscle and ligament attachment site

-fractures

-shoulder impingement

Clavicle

-supports upper limbs

-bridge between axial skeleton and pectoral girdle

-fractures

Medial epicondyle

-elbow stability and movement

-protects ulnar nerve

-golfers elbow (irritation of the tendons)

Lateral epicondyle

-wrist and forearm movement

-attachment for extensor muscles

-tennis elbow

Olecranon of elbow

-insertion point of the triceps

-fracture

-olecranon bursitis

Styloid process of radius

-insertion point for muscles of the forearm

-wrist stability

-colles fracture

Styloid process of ulna

-attachment points for UCL

-stabilizes wrist and forearm

-fracture

Supraspinatus

-rotator cuff

-abduction of the arm

-secures the humerus head

-supraspinatus tendon tear (rotator cuff tear)

Infraspinatus

-shoulder extension

-stabilizes shoulder

-rotator cuff tear

Rhomboids

-scapular retraction

-stabilize scapula

-strains

Deltoid

-abduction of arm

-flexion and extension of the arm

-stabilizes shoulder joint

-strains or ruptures

Biceps

-flexes elbow

-supinate forearm

-stabilizes shoulder joint

-bicep tear, rupture

Triceps

-elbow extension

-stabilizes shoulder

Wrist extensors

-extends wrist and fingers

Wrist flexors

-flexes wrist and fingers

-carpal tunnel syndrome (repeated flexion)

Greater Trochanter

-site of muscle attachment

-hip abduction

-external rotation of hip

Patella

-increases leverage of tendons for leg extension

-protects knee joint

-ligament tears/sprains

-meniscus tears

-bursitis

-runner’s knee

-fracture of the patella

-patellar tendonitis

Tibial tuberosity

-serves as an attachment point for the patellar tendon

-Osgood-schlatter disease in adolescents

-tibia fracture

-shin splints

Fibular head

-attachment site for muscles like biceps femoris

-articulates w/ tibia

-knee and ankle stability

Medial malleolus

-resists eversion

-ankle stability

-associated with the deltoid ligament and medial collateral ligament

-fractures

-ankle sprains

Lateral malleolus

-resists inversion

-connects with calcaneofibular and talofibular ligament

-ankle support and stability

Calcaneus

-supports a lot of the bodyweight

-lever for calf muscles

-retrocalcaneal bursitis

1st metatarsophalangeal joint

-dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the big toe

-adduction and abduction of the big toe

-turf toe

5th metatarsal styloid

-attachment site for peroneus brevis tendon

-stabilizes foot and ankle

-jones fracture

Quadriceps

-rectus femoris

-vastus lateralis

-vastus medialis

-vastus intermedius (deep to rectus femoris)

-knee extension

-hip flexion

-absorbs force

-contusions

-quad tear

Hamstrings

-biceps femoris (most lateral)

-semitendinosus

-semimembranosus (most medial)

-knee flexion

-hip extension

Patellar tendon

-inserts into the tibial tuberosity

-helps with knee extension

-patellar tendonitis

-tears

Gastroc/soleus

-help with plantarflexion

-gastroc crosses knee and ankle joints

-soleus attaches to achilles tendon

-tears

Achilles tendon

-achilles tendinitis

-rupture

-plantarflexion

-transmission of power from calf to heel

Tibialis Anterior

-invert the ankle

-dorsiflex the foot