ANATOMY

• Shoulder complex: made up of 3 bones

  • Clavicle
  • Scapula
  • Humerus
• Clavicle:

  • Superficial and run horizontally along the top of the chest at the base of the neck
  • Acromioclavicular jt: clavicle articulate with acromion (laterally)- synovial jt
  • Sternoclavicular jt: clavicle articulate with sternum (medially)- synovial jt
• Scapula:

  • Triangular- shaped bone of the upper back
  • Function: Stabilizations and movement of the arm
  • Attachment sites of 16 muscles
  • Scapulothoracic jt: scapula glide across the posterior surface of thorax- false jt
• Humerus:

  • Bone of the arm
  • Glenohumeral jt: proximal humerus articulate with glenoid fossa of the scapula- synovial, ball and socket jt- perform a wide ROM
• What is make up the scapula?

  Scapula structure:

  
• What is the structure of humerus?

  Humerus structure:

  
• What are the structures of clavicle?

  Clavicle structure:

  
• How to palpate the spine of scapula?

  • Position: Prone
  • Lay your hand across the upper back- Slide the fingertips inferiorly until feel the spine
  • Explore the entire length by palpating laterally towards the acromion and medially toward the vertebral column

  
• How to palpate the medial border of scapula?

  • Position: Prone
  • Place the partner's hand in the small of the back to raise the medial border off the ribs
  • Locate the rib of the scapula and slide the fingertips medially until they slide off the spine onto the medial border
• How to palpate the inferior angle of scapula?

  • Position: Prone
  • Place the partner's hand in the small of the back
  • Glide the fingers inferiorly along the medial border
  • At the end of the medial border, the edge of the scapula will turn a corner and start to rise superiorly and laterally. This is the inferior angle.
• How to palpate the superior angle?

  • Position: Prone
  • Scoop the shoulder with your hand to raise it off the table to soften the overlying muscles.
  • Locate the medial border. Slide the fingertips superiorly along the border to find the superior angle.
  • May need to move an inch superior to the spine of the scapula to reach the superior angle.

  
• How to palpate the lateral border of scapula?

  • Position: Prone
  • Drape the arm off the side of the table. Slide the thumb from the inferior angle superiorly along the lateral border
  • Follow the border in the direction of the axilla