Shoulder (Glenohumeral) joint

Where/How; the head of the humerus articulates with the glenoid fossa of the scapula

Type: Ball and Socket joint

Movements: Flexion/Extension, Abduction/Adduction, Circumduction, Lateral/Medial of arm at shoulder

Structure: Glenoid Labrum which deepens this socket

Ligaments: Coracohumeral Ligament, Glenohumeral ligament and Coracoacromial Ligament.

Capsule: The capsule is thin and lax, accounting for the high mobility of the joint. Also,

Reinforcement: is provided by the glenohumeral ligament and the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.

Bursae and Synovial Cavity:

- when inflamed causes pain

- Subdeltoid/Subacromion bursa (separate the deltoid and the acromion of the scapula from the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle)

- Subscapular bursa (Continous with the joint cavity) - separates the subscapularis from the joint

- Tendon sheath of long head of biceps brachii is continuos with the joint cavity

Relations of the shoulder joint:

- The deltoid covers most of the shoulder joint

Inferior: axillary nerve (c5, c6), posterior circumflex humoral artery

Superior: clavicle

Category: Anatomy Notes