Shoulder+Joints

[|Shoulder Joint]
The shoulder has four joints: the glenohumeral joint, the sternoclavicular joint, the acromioclavicular joint and [|scapulothoracic joint.]

Glenohumeral joint
Rotate your shoulder in a circle. When you do this you are using your glenohumeral joint. The glenohumeral joint is the most recognized joint in the shoulder and also the easiest to dislocate due to it's large range of motion. The glenohumeral joint is most commonly called the ball and socket joint. The bones involved in this joint are the humerus (ball) and scapula (socket). They are connected by the capsules covering them and also by groups of ligaments.

Sternoclavicular joint
This joint is mainly a supportive joint. The clavicle connects to the top of the sternum. The strenoclavicular joint is the only bony joint attaching the bones of the arm to the vertical skeleton. The structure of this joint looks like it would be prone to dislocation but actually the ligaments in this joint are very strong making dislocation rare.

Acromioclavicular joint
The acromioclavicular joint involves the scapula and the clavicle. It is right between the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula. This joint gets its support from many ligaments.

Scapulothoracic joint
This joint is rarely mentioned in most texts about the shoulder. The reason; it is not a __true joint__. It is connected by tissue rather than bone. The tissues from the scapula connects to rib tissue. It allows the shoulder to move while keeping it attaches to the torso.

Lauren Smith Faith Lutheran edited: 1/07/07