The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint and has the greatest range of motion
of any joint in the body. Because of this mobility, it is at risk for injury or
degenerative problems. The bones of the shoulder are the humerus (upper
arm bone), clavicle (collar bone), and scapula (shoulder blade). The head
of the humerus bone (the ball) is lined with cartilage that glides over the
shoulder socket (also known as the "glenoid cavity"). The clavicle attaches
the shoulder to the rib cage and holds the shoulder out from the body. The
scapula is a large triangular bone located on the back side of the upper
body, and it is connected to the clavicle through the acromioclavicular
(AC) joint.
In the shoulder socket, the humerus sits like a golf ball on a tee, supported by a complicated arrangement of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that attaches four shoulder muscles to the upper arm. These tendons help keep the humerus bone in place within its shallow socket and ensure that the arm moves freely within the joint.
All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.
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