Shoulder Girdle Anatomy

Chapter 6: Shoulder Girdle Anatomy

Copyright © 2016 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shoulder Girdle Overview

  • Components of the Shoulder Girdle:
    • Consists of:
    • Clavicle
    • Scapula
    • Humerus

Articulations of the Shoulder Girdle

  • Articulates with the following:
    • Head of the humerus (shoulder joint)
    • Manubrium of the sternum (sternoclavicular [SC] joint)
    • Other components (acromioclavicular [AC] joint)
  • Function:
    • Connects the upper limb to the trunk of the body

Anatomy of the Shoulder Joint

  • Shoulder Girdle's Role in Upper Limb Articulation:
    • The humerus is not considered to be part of the shoulder girdle.
    • Proximal humeral anatomy is relevant in evaluating radiographs of the shoulder joint due to articulation with the shoulder girdle.

Joints Associated with the Shoulder Girdle

  • Types of Shoulder Joints:
    • Acromioclavicular (AC) joint:
    • Classification: Synovial Gliding joint
    • Sternoclavicular (SC) joint:
    • Classification: Synovial double-gliding joint
    • Scapulohumeral (glenohumeral) joint:
    • Classification: Synovial Ball-and-socket type
    • Capable of all motions

Clavicle

  • Classifications:
    • Classified as a long bone
    • Lies just above the first rib
  • Ends and Joints:
    • Acromial extremity (lateral end): articulates with the acromion on the scapula (AC joint)
    • Sternal extremity (medial end): articulates with the manubrium of the sternum (SC joint)
  • Structure:
    • Exhibits a double curve to the body
    • Curvature is more pronounced in males than in females

Scapula

  • Classification:
    • Classified as a flat bone
    • Forms the posterior portion of the shoulder girdle
    • Triangular in shape
  • Surfaces of the Scapula:
    • Costal (anterior) surface
    • Dorsal (posterior) surface

Anatomical Features of the Scapula

  • Borders:
    • Three borders:
    • Lateral
    • Medial
    • Superior
  • Angles:
    • Three angles:
    • Superior angle
    • Inferior angle
    • Lateral angle

Anatomical Landmarks of the Scapula

  • Key Features:

    • Acromion
    • Neck
    • Glenoid cavity
    • Coracoid process
    • Superior scapular border notch
    • Subscapular fossa
    • Body
    • Lateral border
    • Medial border

  • Additional Posterior Features:

    • Scapular notch
    • Crest of spine
    • Supraspinous fossa
    • Infraspinous fossa
    • Acromion
    • Lateral border
    • Glenoid cavity
    • Neck

Visual Perspectives of the Shoulder Girdle

  • Anterior Aspect of Shoulder Girdle
    ![Image not available]
  • Posterior Aspect of Shoulder Girdle
    ![Image not available]

Understanding Shoulder Articulations

  • Proximal humerus is considered in evaluating radiographs of the shoulder joint due to articulation with the shoulder girdle.
  • Shoulder Joint Classifications:
    • Diarthrodial classification by function
    • Synovial classification by anatomy (structure)
    • Ball-and-socket type, capable of all motions

Key Anatomical Relationships

  • Important Landmarks:
    • 1st Rib
    • Clavicle
    • Superior Angle Scapula
    • Coracoid Process
    • Sternoclavicular Joint
    • Medial Border Scapula
    • Inferior Angle Scapula
    • Glenoid Fossa
    • Acromioclavicular Joint
    • Acromion Process
    • Head of Humerus
    • Anatomical Neck
    • Greater Tubercle
    • Intertubercular Groove
    • Lesser Tubercle
    • Lateral Border Scapula
    • Surgical Neck of Humerus

Interactive Component

  • Clicker Questions:
    • Question 1: What is the lateral, thickened end of the scapular spine called?
    • Options:
      • Acromion
      • Coracoid process
      • Coronoid process
      • Glenoid process
    • Question 2: The scapular notch is located on the:
    • Options:
      • Medial border
      • Lateral border
      • Inferior border
      • Superior border