Joints of the Upper Limb Quiz

Study Notes

Joints of the upper limb are divided into two groups: girdle joints and joints of the movable part.

Synovial articulation between the sternal end of the clavicle and clavicular notch of the sternal manubrium.
Saddle, multiaxial joint.
Contains an articular disc.
Ligaments:
- Sternoclavicular anterior and posterior ligaments (capsular)
- Interclavicular ligament (capsular)
- Costoclavicular ligament (extracapsular)

Synovial articulation between the acromial end of the clavicle and acromion of the scapula.
Gliding, multiaxial joint.
Ligaments:
- Acromioclavicular ligament (capsular)
- Coracoclavicular ligament (extracapsular), divided into two parts: trapezoid ligament and conoid ligament, attached to the clavicle.

Synovial articulation between the head of the humerus and glenoid cavity of the scapula.
Ball and socket, multiaxial joint.
Additional elements:
- Glenoid labrum, which surrounds the glenoid fossa.
- Four bursae associated with this joint: subscapular bursa, subdeltoid bursa, subacromial bursa, and subcoracoid bursa.
Ligaments:
- Coracohumeral ligament
- Glenohumeral superior, middle, and inferior ligaments (capsular)
Tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle passes through the joint cavity.
Glenohumeral dislocations:
- The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile but least stable joint in the body, and dislocations are frequent.
- Rotator cuff muscles provide stability, but inferior support is lacking.
- Majority of dislocations (90%) occur inferiorly, often labeled as “anterior” dislocations based on the position of the humeral head relative to the glenoid. These injuries can damage the axillary nerve and lead to a flattened shoulder profile.

Sac-like structures present in some synovial joints.
Located between:
- Muscle and bone
- Tendon and bone
- Ligament and bone
Function:
- Reduce mechanical friction between two structures relative to each other.
- Example: between bone and extracapsular ligaments.