Humerus, Shoulder, Scapula, Clavicle and AC Joints

Shoulder Girdle Anatomy

The shoulder girdle is the clavicle and scapula. On the proximal humerus, the surgical neck lies just below the greater and lesser tubercles and is the most common fracture site. The greater tubercle is lateral, the lesser tubercle faces anteriorly, and the intertubercular (bicipital) groove runs between them. The scapula has a body, a spine that ends laterally as the acromion, an anterior coracoid process, and a shallow glenoid cavity that holds the humeral head. The glenohumeral joint is a synovial ball-and-socket joint; the acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a plane joint. Most shoulder girdle images use a 40-inch (100 cm) SID and suspended respiration.