Shoulder Joint

The shoulder joint is actually made up of two separate joints -- the glenohumeral or shoulder joint which is formed by the articulation of the rounded head of the humerus, or upper arm bone, into a cup-like depression of the scapula, called the glenoid fossa. The second is called the acromioclavicular joint and is formed by an articulation of the lateral clavicle with the acromion process of the scapula.

Although both of these joints are held together by extensive ligament and muscle...

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Anatomy Terms

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Muscles: Shoulder

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Shoulder Joint, Posterior (Back)

Full Shoulder Joint Description

[Continued from above] . . . attachments, certain types of forces can weaken the shoulder easily. The shoulder joint is vulnerable to dislocations from sudden jerks of the arm, especially in children before strong muscles have developed. Because of the weakness of this joint in children, parents should be careful not to force a child to follow them by yanking on their arm. Dislocation of the shoulder is extremely painful and may require surgical repair or even cause permanent damage.