The anatomy of the shoulder - anatomy.tv worksheet

Muscles of the shoulder joint

Can you find all the superficial muscles that act to move the shoulder joint?

Start with trapezius, and then find latissimus dorsi (find that one yourself), deltoid, levator scapulae, rhomboideus major and rhomboideus minor, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, teres major, subclavius, and serratus anterior.

Would you be able to identify all these muscles on models or prosections? Could you palpate most of them on yourself or a colleague?

Be sure that you know the actions of these muscles (movie link below).

The trapezius muscle (anatomy.tv)

Rotator cuff muscles

The rotator cuff is made up of four deep muscles attaching the humerus to the scapula. Their main role is to hold the humerus in place within the glenohumeral joint when movements of the shoulder take place.

Find the four muscles, note where they lie and where they attach:

- infraspinatus
- supraspinatus
- subscapularis
- teres minor

Can you imagine where they lie if you look at a skeleton?

The rotator cuff muscles (anatomy.tv)

Movements

Use the man-in-a-thong's movies of the movements of the shoulder joint to see how these muscles contribute to different movements.

Start here (with the upper fibres of the trapezius) and use the movies list to explore.

Movements of the shoulder (anatomy.tv)

Clavicular ligaments

Take a look at the anterior sternoclavicular ligaments and posterior sternoclavicular ligaments (tricky to see - can you work out where they are?).

Find the costoclavicular ligament strengthening the sternoclavicular joint between the sternum and the clavicle. Note the attachments of all these ligaments. Can you find where they would be on a skeleton?

Find also the coracoclavicular ligament. All these ligaments are tough, holding the clavicle firmly in place. It is rarely dislocated, and more likely to fracture.

Costoclavicular ligament (anatomy.tv)

Muscles of the neck

If you want to incorporate this information with the muscles of the neck, use that anatomy.tv worksheet (link).

The neck (anatomy.tv)