The anatomy of the shoulder can be broadly split into four main components, the bones, muscles, ligaments and neurovascular structures. All three can sustain an injury, and having an awareness of the anatomy is imperative for when carrying out an assessment.
Lets have a break from reading, and watch this video on the anatomy of the shoulder. It’s about 6-minutes long, and at the end try and answer the questions below. The answers to the questions will come in handy later in the module.
What do we call the joint made up of the collar bone and scapula?
Well done. If you have rugby at your school this is a joint you will become very familiar with.
Sorry try again, unless you picked shoulder blade – collar bone bit, in which case just given up now!
What nerve travelled around the shoulder joint supplying sensation to the outside of the arm and motor function to the deltoid?
Well done. This nerve is often damaged following a dislocation and needs to be assessed in such instances.
Sorry try again.
What is the role of the rotator cuff muscles? (answer all that apply)
Well done, yes they help to stabilize the shoulder by pulling it into the socket, and activate movement along with the larger muscles such as deltoid, pectoralis and lats.
Sorry try again, should select two answers.
Which structures pass through the axilla? (answer all that apply)
Well done, yes both nerves and bloody vessels travel through the axilla hence we always aim to check for any neurovascular symptoms when assessing a shoulder.
Try again, shoulder be two answers and I’ll give you a clue, it’s not string!