Shoulder girdle
Synonyms
Shoulder, shoulder joint, AC joint, sternum, clavicle, acromion, acromion, coracoid, coracoid, sternoclavicular joint, ACG, broken collarbone, clavicle fracture, shoulder joint splitting
English: shoulder girdle
Shoulder girdle anatomy
In the shoulder girdle, a distinction is made between the sternum-clavicle joint (sterniclavicular joint) and the shoulder corner joint (acromioclavicular joint = AC joint = ACG) on both sides. The shoulder joint itself is not counted as part of the shoulder girdle. The collarbone and shoulder blade belong to the bony shoulder girdle.
Figure shoulder girdle
- Humerus head - Caput humeri
- Shoulder joint socket -
Glenoid cavity - Shoulder blade - Scapula
- Collarbone - Clavicle
- Shoulder corner - Acromion
- Shoulder corner-collarbone-
Joint -
Articulatio acromioclavicularis - Deltoid - Deltoid muscle
- Raven beak process -
Coracoid process - Raven beak extension shoulder corner
Tape -
Coracoacromiale ligament - Joint cavity -
C.avitas articularis - Fiber cartilage ring -
Glenoid labrum - Biceps, long head -
M. biceps brachii - Bursa -
Subacromial bursa - Upper arm shaft -
Corpus humeri
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
The Sternum-collarbone joint from the shoulder girdle is made up of a recess in the upper sternum area and the inner (medial) End of the collarbone. As with any joint, it has a cartilaginous surface, synovial membrane and a joint capsule. The joint capsule is additionally stabilized by numerous ligament structures. Inside the joint, this joint of the shoulder girdle is covered by a fibrous cartilaginous joint disc (Articular disc), which has a kind of buffer and pressure distribution function, similar to the Menisci in the Knee joint.
The shoulder joint is formed from the shoulder blade process (acromion) and the lateral end of the collarbone. Here, too, there is an articular disc in the joint, as well as ligament structures that strengthen the joint capsule (acromioclavicular ligaments). Further stabilization is achieved by the coracoclavicular ligaments, which lie outside the joint and extend from another shoulder blade process (coracoid / coracoid) to the clavicle.
Figure shoulder
- Collarbone / clavicle
- ACG = shoulder joint
- Acromion (shoulder height)
- Shoulder joint
- Humerus / humerus
function
The shoulder girdle is the bony connection between the trunk and the arms (upper extremities) of a person.
The sternum-collarbone joint and the shoulder joint are ball-and-socket joints that are required for full arm movement. Most movements are performed by both joints together. The shoulder joint is particularly involved in the rotation of the shoulder blade when the arm moves above the horizontal (elevation).
Diseases / injuries of the shoulder girdle
The shoulder girdle is quite often affected by injuries.
break of collarbone
The collarbone fracture / clavicle fracture is the second most common fracture (break) of the human body after the wrist fracture.
For more information, see our topic: Broken collarbone
Ankle joint dislocation
The shoulder joint dislocation by falling on the outstretched arm or the shoulder itself.
But also degenerative / wear-related diseases such as osteoarthritis in the sternum - clavicle joint or in the shoulder joint (AC joint osteoarthritis) occur.
You can find more information under our topic: Ankle joint dislocation
Shoulder girdle pain
Shoulder pain are common, around every tenth patient reports about it. However, with early detection, many causal diseases can be treated effectively.
Because the causes of pain in the shoulder area are diverse. They can be caused by accidents, for example during sports, or by other mechanical influences, or by metabolic disorders or inflammatory processes. Most of the time it isn't at all Shoulder joint itself but other structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Diagnoses of pain in the shoulder joint are often made:
- Explosion of the shoulder joint
- Shoulder dislocation (Dislocation of the shoulder joint)
- Fracture of the humeral head (Fracture of the humerus)
- Impingement Syndrome (Bottleneck syndrome)
- Rotator cuff tear/ Tendon tear
- Tendon calcification (Tendinosis calcarea)
- Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
- rheumatism
In addition to relieving the pain, restoration of the restricted mobility is also in the foreground during treatment. Exercises that are carried out correctly - often guided by physiotherapy - in addition to pain medication can not only help alleviate the symptoms and improve mobility. Rather, if they have been practiced beforehand, they can effectively prevent the development of some of the listed causes of pain.
Stretching the shoulder girdle
One-sided stress, for example working at a desk, can limit mobility in the shoulder girdle.
However, a flexible shoulder girdle is essential for any type of sport in order to be able to practice it for as long as possible and without discomfort. It is therefore important to have your shoulder girdle through targeted stretching to keep moving.
The shoulder girdle is mainly held and secured by a thick cuff made of muscles. Therefore, poor posture can quickly lead to tension and cramps in these muscles. Other diseases, e.g. Bursitis in the shoulder area, tension can arise, as a cramped evasive posture is automatically adopted to avoid the pain caused by the inflammation.
Stretching helps to release this tension and to optimize the range of motion in the shoulder girdle again.
Exercises for the shoulder girdle
Insufficient mobility in the Shoulder girdle can be caused by one-sided loads and also by a lack of stretching. Especially when doing sport, it is therefore important to keep the shoulder girdle flexible in order to prevent premature discomfort.
Through targeted exercises and regular Training the shoulder muscles the stability and mobility of the shoulder girdle can be improved.
As an example, two exercises are listed here that stretch the shoulder girdle, with and without a wall.
In the first exercise, stand with your right side against the wall. The feet are about shoulder width apart, with the right foot against the wall. Now move your right arm slowly and straight backwards until you feel a stretch in the shoulder and chest. If you press your upper body against the wall, the stretch can be increased. However, it is only stretched so much that no pain arise. Remain in this position for about 20 seconds, then switch sides. Each side is repeated twice.
In the second exercise, stand up straight, feet shoulder width apart, and bend slightly on your knees. Then move your right arm at a slight angle towards the left shoulder blade. In support of this, grasp the right elbow joint with your left hand until you feel a pulling in the shoulder. This position is also held for about 20 seconds before changing sides. This exercise is also repeated twice on each side.
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