Shoulder Complex
The shoulder complex consists of four articulations all of which contribute to the mobility of the upper limb
Scapulothoracic Joint (ST)
Not a true anatomical joint, scapula glides over thorax
Sternoclavicular Joint (SC)
Sternoclavicular Joint Articular Disk
Acromioclavicular Joint (AC)
Coracoclavicular Ligament
Has two parts: conoid and trapezoid ligaments
Both parts support the AC joint and allow the rest of the upper limb to be suspended from the clavicle
Trapezoid ligament
Conoid ligament
Glenohumeral Joint
Closed packed position of joint
= maximal congruence
= maximal tension in joint capsule
= maximal stability
Scapulohumeral Rhythm
Shoulder complex capable of 180 ° of abduction
Pectoralis Major
Attachments:
- clavicular head: medial half of clavicle
- sternocostal head: anterior surface of sternum, costal cartilages 1-6
- intertubercular sulcus
Actions:
- adducts and medially rotates humerus,
- draws scapula anteriorly and inferiorly
- clavicular head alone flexes humerus,
- sternocostal head alone extends humerus from flexed position
Innervation:
lateral and medial pectoral nerves (clavicular head C5, C6, sternocostal head C7 and C8, T1)
Pectoralis Minor
Attachments: - ribs 3-5 near costal cartilages - coracoid process Actions: - stabilises scapula by drawing it anteriorly and inferiorly Innervation: - medial pectoral nerve (C8 and T1)
Subclavius
Attachments:
- junction of 1st rib and 1st costal cartilage
- inferior surface of middle third of clavicle
Actions:
- anchors and depresses clavicle
Innervation:
- nerve to subclavius (C5 and C6)
Serratus Anterior
Attachments: - lateral aspect of ribs 1-8 - medial border of scapula Actions: - protract scapula, - rotate scapula superiorly (lower fibres), - hold scapula to thorax Innervation: - long thoracic nerve (C5, C6 and C7)
Trapezius
Attachments: - superior nuchal line, - external occipital protuberance, - nuchal ligament - spinous processes C7 - T12 - lateral third of clavicle, - acromion - spine of scapula Actions: -descending part elevates scapula, - ascending part depresses scapula, - central fibres retract scapula, - descending and ascending together rotate glenoid cavity superiorly Innervation: - accessory nerve (XI) and C3-4
Latissimus Dorsi
Attachments: - spinous processes of T7-12, - thoracolumbar fascia, - iliac crest, - ribs 9-12 - intertubercular sulcus Actions: - extends, - adducts and - medially rotates humerus Innervation: - thoracodorsal nerve (C6, C7 and C8)
Levator Scapulae
Attachments: - transverse processes of C1-C4 - medial border of scapula Actions: - elevate scapula, - rotate scapula inferiorly Innervation: - dorsal scapular nerve (C5), C3 and C4
Rhomboid Major
Attachments: - major: T2 - T5 - medial border of scapula Actions: - retract scapula, - rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly Innervation: - dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Rhomboid Minor
Attachments: - minor: C7 and T1 - medial border of scapula Actions: - retract scapula, - rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly Innervation: - dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Deltoid
Attachments: - lateral third of clavicle, - acromion - spine of scapula - deltoid tuberosity of humerus Actions: - anterior fibres flex and medially rotate arm, - posterior fibres extend and laterally rotate arm, - all fibres are active in abduction Innervation: - axillary nerve (C5 and C6)
Supraspinatus
Attachments: - supraspinous fossa of scapula - greater tubercle of humerus Actions: - initiates abduction, - maintains apposition of head of humerus and glenoid cavity during motion Innervation: - suprascapular nerve (C4, C5 and C6)
Infraspinatus
Attachments: - infraspinous fossa - greater tubercle of humerus Actions: - lateral rotation of humerus, - maintains apposition of head of humerus and glenoid cavity during motion Innervation: - suprascapular nerve (C5 and C6)
Teres Minor
Attachments: - lateral border of scapula - greater tubercle of humerus Actions: - lateral rotation of humerus, - maintains apposition of head of humerus and glenoid cavity during motion Innervation: - axillary nerve (C5 and C6)