The shoulder and arm Flashcards
(98 cards)
What is the difference between the arm and the forearm
Arm- part between shoulder and elbow (often called upper arm in clinical practice)
Forearm- between the elbow and the wrist
What are the 3 key bones in the shoulder and arm region
The Scapula
The Clavicle
The Humerus
Summarise the key features of the scapula
The scapula is a large, flat triangular bone with:
▪
three angles (lateral, superior, and inferior),
▪
three borders (superior, lateral, and medial),
▪
two surfaces (costal and posterior), and
▪
three processes (acromion, spine, and coracoid process)
What does the spine of the scapula divide the posterior surface of the scapula into
A prominent spine subdivides the posterior surface of the scapula into a small, superior supraspinous fossa and a much larger, inferior infraspinous fossa
What is the lateral angle of the scapula marked by
The lateral angle of the scapula is marked by a shallow, somewhat comma-shaped glenoid cavity, which articulates with the head of the humerus to form the glenohumeral joint
Describe the greater scapular notch
The region between the lateral angle of the scapula and the attachment of the spine to the posterior surface of the scapula is the greater scapular notch (spinoglenoid notch)
Describe the costal surface of the scapula
Unlike the posterior surface, the costal surface of the scapula is unremarkable, being characterized by a shallow concave subscapular fossa over much of its extent (Fig. 7.21B). The costal surface and margins provide for muscle attachment, and the costal surface, together with its related muscle (subscapularis), moves freely over the underlying thoracic wall.
Describe the acromian and coracoid processes of the scapula
The acromion, which is an anterolateral projection of the spine, arches over the glenohumeral joint and articulates, via a small oval facet on its distal end, with the clavicle.
the coracoid process, a hook-like structure that projects anterolaterally and is positioned directly inferior to the lateral part of the clavicle (on its superior border)
Describe the suprascapular notch
▪
the small but distinct suprascapular notch, which lies immediately medial to the root of the coracoid process.
Compare the lateral border of the scapula to the medial border
The lateral border of the scapula is strong and thick for muscle attachment, whereas the medial border and much of the superior border is thin and sharp
Describe the tubercles of the scapula
A less distinct supraglenoid tubercle is located superior to the glenoid cavity and is the site of attachment for the long head of the biceps brachii muscle.
A large triangular-shaped roughening (the infraglenoid tubercle) inferior to the glenoid cavity is the site of attachment for the long head of the triceps brachii muscle.
Deltoid tubercle on spine of the scapula
Summarise the clavicle
The clavicle is the only bony attachment between the trunk and the upper limb. It is palpable along its entire length and has a gentle S-shaped contour, with the forward-facing convex part medial and the forward-facing concave part lateral. The acromial (lateral) end of the clavicle is flat, whereas the sternal (medial) end is more robust and somewhat quadrangular in shape
Compare the acromial end of the clavicle to the sternal end
The acromial end of the clavicle has a small oval facet on its surface for articulation with a similar facet on the medial surface of the acromion of the scapula.
The sternal end has a much larger facet for articulation mainly with the manubrium of the sternum, and to a lesser extent, with the first costal cartilage.
Describe the inferior surface of the lateral 1/3rd of the clavicle
Conoid tubercle (distinct tuberosity) Trapezoid line (lateral roughening) They are the point of attachment of the conoid ligament and trapezoid ligament (both part of the coracoclavicular ligament) The coracoclavicular ligament is responsible for vertically attaching the scapula to the clavicle.
What are the surfaces and margins of the clavicle roughened by
In addition, the surfaces and margins of the clavicle are roughened by the attachment of muscles that connect the clavicle to the thorax, neck, and upper limb. The superior surface is smoother than the inferior surface.
What is important to remember about the clavicle
§ First long bone to ossify in the body (5th week) and does so by intramembranous ossification rather than endochondral which is most common to long bones.
§ Orientate via the “flat” lateral end at the acromion of the scapula and the circular sternal end at the sternum/1st CC (superior smooth).
§ Identify – conoid tubercle, trapezoid line, subclavian and costo-clavicular ligament groove (sternal end of posterior surface- can see a groove)
Which structures are at risk if the fractured clavicle is displaced
Structures that may be injured are the subclavian vessels, axillary artery, elements of the brachial plexus, and internal jugular vein, and the lung, causing a pneumothorax.
How are fractures of the clavicle commonly classified
Fractures of the clavicle are classified on which third is fractured. The middle one-third of the clavicle is most commonly fractured (80%), with lateral one-third fractures accounting for 15%, and medial one-third fractures being the least frequent (5%).
What is the key role of the clavicle and what can happen in a fracture
The clavicle serves as an osseous strut that braces the shoulder against the sternum to force the upper extremity away from the trunk so that movement of the upper limb clears the trunk. As an osseous strut, the clavicle is buttressed by strong ligaments that connect it horizontally and vertically to adjacent structures.
In this clinical case, the fracture occurred medial to the coracoclavicular ligament (see Figure 94). Consequently, the weight of the upper limb caused the scapula and its attachment to the distal clavicle to move downward and the muscles bridging the glenohumeral joint pulled the upper limb medially.
Preservation of the arterial supply to the clavicle is essential to the repair process. What is the arterial supply to the clavicle?
The nutrient artery to the clavicle is a branch of the suprascapular artery. The nutrient foramen is located in the lateral end of the subclavian groove, which serves as the insertion for the subclavius muscle.
What does the proximal end of the humerus consist of
The proximal end of the humerus consists of the head, the anatomical neck, the greater and lesser tubercles, the surgical neck, and the superior half of the shaft of the humerus
Describe the head of the proximal humerus
The head is half-spherical in shape and projects medially and somewhat superiorly to articulate with the much smaller glenoid cavity of the scapula.
Describe the anatomical neck of the proximal humerus
The anatomical neck is very short and is formed by a narrow constriction immediately distal to the head. It lies between the head and the greater and lesser tubercles laterally, and between the head and the shaft more medially.
Describe the surgical neck and its clinical importance
One of the most important features of the proximal end of the humerus is the surgical neck (Fig. 7.22). This region is oriented in the horizontal plane between the expanded proximal part of the humerus (head, anatomical neck, and tubercles) and the narrower shaft. The axillary nerve and the posterior circumflex humeral artery, which pass into the deltoid region from the axilla, do so immediately posterior to the surgical neck. Because the surgical neck is weaker than more proximal regions of the bone, it is one of the sites where the humerus commonly fractures. The associated nerve (axillary) and artery (posterior circumflex humeral) can be damaged by fractures in this region.
Fractures occur here more commonly than the anatomical neck