Shoulder Anatomy and Movement Quiz

The space beneath the acromion, and important for shoulder health

A functional joint between the scapula and the thorax, not a true anatomical joint

A common shoulder problem caused by compression of structures in the subacromial space

A condition affecting tendons supporting the shoulder joint; often from impingement

The two defined areas within the scapulothoracic 'joint': the space between scapula and serratus muscle, and between thoracic wall and serratus muscle

The ball-and-socket joint between the humerus and scapula's glenoid cavity.

Fibrocartilage ring that deepens the glenoid cavity, improving joint congruency.

Joint between the acromion process of the scapula and the clavicle.

Strong ligaments (conoid and trapezoid) that stabilize the acromioclavicular joint.

Joint where the clavicle meets the sternum.

Connects the upper extremity to the thorax (chest).

Not a true anatomical joint; instead, it's the interaction between the deltoid muscle and shoulder joint as movement occurs.

Collarbone - a long bone connecting the sternum to the scapula.

A ligament that connects the coracoid process of the scapula to the greater and lesser tuberosities of the humerus.

Superior, middle and inferior ligaments that run within the shoulder joint capsule, connecting the glenoid and labrum to the humeral neck and lesser tuberosities.

A key stabilizer of the abducted shoulder, forming a sling (hammock) around the head of the humerus.

Arises from the supra-glenoid tubercle and superior glenoid labrum; passes through the shoulder joint capsule.

Arises from the coracoid process and helps stabilize the humerus and prevent dislocation.

The structure surrounding the shoulder joint that contains ligaments and other tissues.

Coracohumeral, and glenohumeral ligaments work together providing stability and restricting movement.

The movement of the arm forward, bringing the upper limb closer to the body in a sagittal plane. The range of motion can reach up to 180 degrees.

The backward movement of the arm in the sagittal plane. The range of motion is limited, generally reaching only about 45 to 50 degrees.

The movement of the arm towards the midline of the body, usually combined with either extension or flexion.

The movement of the arm away from the midline of the body, performed in a frontal plane around an antero-posterior axis. This involves movement at the shoulder joint and, depending on the degree of abduction, the scapulothoracic joint.

This large back muscle plays a major role in internal rotation, extension, and adduction of the shoulder joint. It works as a powerful pulling force, drawing the arm backwards and downwards.

The long head of the biceps muscle contributes to shoulder abduction by pulling the humeral head closer to the glenoid.

A ruptured biceps long head results in a 20% decrease in shoulder abduction strength.

The serratus anterior muscle helps with scapular abduction (moving away from the spine) and upward rotation.

The trapezius muscle has three sections: upper, middle, and lower, each with different functions.

Rhomboids help with scapular downward rotation, adduction (moving towards the spine), and elevation.

The pectoralis minor muscle helps with scapular depression (moving down) and tilting it forwards.

The levator scapulae muscle lifts the scapula up and rotates it downwards, also influencing neck movement.

The deltoid muscle is responsible for abduction at the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint).

The maximum degree of elbow flexion achievable with muscle effort is limited to 145° due to the anterior arm and forearm muscles contracting and preventing further bending.

The relaxed muscles allow the elbow to flex beyond 145°, reaching 160°. This is limited by bone contact (radius and ulna against fossa) and ligament tension.

The movement of the forearm about its longitudinal axis, involving both the superior radio-ulnar joint (SRU) and the inferior radio-ulnar joint (IRU).

The forearm position where the radius and ulna are parallel, with the ulna on the medial side.

The forearm position where the radius and ulna cross, with the radius lateral to the ulna proximally and medial distally.

A trochoid joint with a cylindrical shape, allowing one movement: rotation about the axis of the two cylinders in contact.

This joint consists of the head of the radius, with its cylindrical rim covered by cartilage, and a fibro-osseous ring formed by the radial notch and the anular ligament.

The cylindrical rim of the head of the radius is covered with cartilage and forms the proximal component of the SRU joint's 'ball-bearing' system.

The distal component of the SRU joint's 'ball-bearing' system, consisting of the radial notch of the ulna and the anular ligament.

The radial notch of the ulna is covered with cartilage, concave antero-posteriorly, and separated by a ridge from the trochlear notch.