The Anatomy and Function of the Shoulder Joint: Understanding the Roles of the Clavicle, Scapula, and Humerus

The shoulder is made up of what three bones?

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone)

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). These bones work together to provide stability, mobility, and strength to the shoulder joint.

The clavicle is a long, slender bone that connects the shoulder to the ribcage. It serves as a strut, keeping the shoulder joint away from the midline of the body and allowing for a wide range of movements. The clavicle also acts as a protective shield for underlying structures.

The scapula is a triangular-shaped bone that sits on the back of the ribcage. It is responsible for anchoring many important muscles that control shoulder movements. The scapula has a shallow socket called the glenoid cavity, which articulates with the head of the humerus to form the shoulder joint.

The humerus is the largest bone in the upper extremity and extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow. It has a ball-shaped head that fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula. This ball-and-socket joint allows for a wide range of motion in the shoulder, enabling movements such as flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.

These three bones work together along with various muscles, tendons, and ligaments to form the complex shoulder joint. Their coordinated movements allow for the arm to move in multiple directions, making the shoulder joint highly mobile but also more prone to injuries and instability.

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