L2: Shoulder Anatomy and Biomechanics Flashcards
(85 cards)
What are the 5 functions of the shoulder?
- position the hand away from and towards the body
- provide us with an evolutionary advantage
- Load bearing – compression, traction
- Fastest joint in the body with rotation (9000o/sec)
- Greatest ROM in the body
What are 3 evolutionary advantages?
Compared to non-human primates, humans have a distinct evolutionary advantage:
- increased rotation ROM
- humeral torsion = increased ER
- more lateral orientation of the glenoid
This means that we have a greater capacity to throw
What is stability VS mobility in the UL?

What are 5 charcteristics of the shoulder complex?
- Multi-joint and multidirectional
- Need to consider major anatomical structures
- brachial plexus
- large vessels posterior to proximal clavicle
- Age changes
- Individual variation in structure and movement- Ranges of GHJ and scapula movements –> a lot of asymmetry
- Stability mechanisms
What are the 7 components of the shoulder complex?
- Glenohumeral joint (GHJ)
- Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ)
- Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ)
- Scapulothoracic joint
- Thoracic spine
- Cervical spine
- Lumbar spine

What are 5 components that are involved in elevation?
- Scapulothoracic joint
- Glenohumeral joint
- Clavicle (ACJ, SCJ)
- Thoracic spine
- Lumbar spine & pelvis
TrA activates first in shoulder flexion –> whole body activation

What does the suprascapula nerve (C5,6) innervate? Where does it travel?

What does the suprascapula nerve (C5,6) innervate? Where does it travel?
- Originates from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus
- Passes through the suprascapular foramen to reach the posterior scapula, where it lies in the plane between the bone and the muscle
- Innervates supraspinatus, then passes through the greater scapular notch (between the root of the spine and the glenoid cavity) to terminate in and innervate the infraspinatus
- Generally has no cutaneous branches

Which area on the suprascapular nerve is most commonly impinged?
Greater scapular notch
What does the axilliary nerve (C5,6) innervate? Where does it travel?
- Originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus
- Passes inferiorly & laterally along the posterior wall to exit the axilla through the quadrangular space, then passes posteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus
- Innervates deltoid and teres minor
- Branches into superior lateral cutaneous nerve (loops around posterior margin of deltoid to innervate skin in that region)
- Accompanied by posterior circumflex humeral artery

What does the accessory nerve (CN XI) innervate? Where does it travel?
Innervates trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (with contributions from cervical plexus C2-4)

What does the long thoracic nerve (C5,6,7) innervate? Where does it travel?
Innervates serratus anterior
Traction injury –> winging of medial border

What does the dorsal scapular nerve (C4,5) innervate? Where does it travel?
Innervates rhomboid major, rhomboid major, and levator scapulae

The shoulder is a remarkable complex, but there is a trade off
between____ and _____.
mobility; stability
The shoulder complex consists of the ____, ____, ____ and
_____ joint… but also need to consider the thoracic spine, cervical spine,
lumbar spine and pelvis
GHJ, ACJ, SCJ, scapulothoracic
The shoulder is highly innervated… need to be aware of nerves as a source of ____ and ____ , as this has implications for management
pain; dysfunction
What are 6 characteristics of sternoclavicular joint?
- Only articular attachment of the shoulder girdle to the axial skeleton
- Costoclavicular and capsular ligaments
- Movement: rotation and translation (AP, sup/inf)… clavicle on the articular disc moves more than disc on the sternum
- Close to rib 1
- Neurovascular bundle
- Subclavius muscle

What are 2 injuries with the sternoclavicular joint?
- posterior dislocation (direct force e.g. MVA, sport) – emergency
- Can get arthritis or injury to ligament
- anterior dislocation (indirect force e.g. fall on shoulder)
- Due to neurovascular bundle

What are the 3 mechanical movements of the sternoclavicular joint?

What are 3 characteristics of the acromioclavicular joint?
- Plane type synovial joint between distal clavicle and acromion
- Movement: accessory (elevation/depression; forward/backward shear)
- Scapula rotates at the ACJ
What are 3 passive supports from ligaments in the ACJ?
- Acromioclavicular
- Coracoclavicular
- Trapezoid
- Conoid
- Coracoacromial ligament

What are 2 dynamic (indirect) support from muscles in the ACJ?
- Deltoid
- Upper trapezius

What are 3 steps that occur during arm elevation in the ACJ mechanics?
- Clavicle elevates distally and retracts and rotates posteriorly
- 30o of elevation occurs at the ACJ
- 15o early in movement
- 15o after 135o of arm elevation
- Minimal movement of the clavicle between 90-135o

What are 2 characteristics of the GHJ?
- Joint with the largest ROM in the human body… BUT sacrifices stability for mobility
- Large ball and smaller pearshaped socket (disproportionate)










































