Video:The Anatomy of the Shoulder
The shoulder comprises bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that connect the arm to the torso. Learn more about how the shoulder works.
Transcript:The Anatomy of the Shoulder
What Is the Shoulder?
The shoulder comprises bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that connect the arm to the torso.The three bones that make up the shoulder joint include the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (long bone of the arm).
The shoulder has two joints that work together to allow arm movement.
What Is the Acromioclavicular Joint?
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a gliding joint formed between the clavicle and the acromion. The acromion is the projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder. The AC joint gives us the ability to raise the arm above the head.What Is the Shoulder Joint?
The glenohumeral joint, or shoulder joint, is a ball-and-socket type joint. The "ball" is the top, rounded part of the humerus, and the "socket" is the bowl-shaped part of the scapula, called the glenoid, into which the ball fits. This joint allows the arm to move in a circular rotation as well as towards and away from the body.What Is the Labrum?
The labrum is a piece of cartilage that cushions the humerus head and the glenoid. This cartilage also helps to stabilize the joint. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that pull the humerus into the scapula. The rotator cuff muscles stabilize the glenohumeral joint and help with rotation of the arm.What Are the Bursae?
Two sac-like structures called bursae are also located in the shoulder. The bursae secrete a lubricating fluid, which helps reduce friction between the moving parts of the joint. Together, all of these structures create one of the most flexible joints in the body.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.
