Anatomy & Bones
This bone, commonly known as the collarbone, links the breastbone to the shoulder blade.
The clavicle
This large, triangular muscle covers the shoulder joint and gives the shoulder its rounded shape.
The deltoid
This imaging technique, which uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves, is the gold standard for diagnosing rotator cuff tears.
MRI
This is the term for lifting the arm sideways away from the midline of the body.
abduction
This painful condition occurs when the upper arm bone is completely forced out of its shoulder socket.
a shoulder dislocation
This is the medical term for the shoulder blade, a flat, triangular bone located on the upper back.
The scapula
This group of four muscles and their tendons stabilizes the shoulder joint and allows for arm rotation.
Rotator cuff
This imaging modality uses high-frequency sound waves to provide real-time, dynamic visualization of rotator cuff tendons during movement.
shoulder ultrasound
This movement involves pulling the arm across the chest or bringing it back toward the center of the body.
adduction
Adhesive capsulitis is the medical name for this stiff and painful condition that severely limits shoulder movement.
frozen shoulder
This long bone of the upper arm inserts into the shoulder socket.
The humerus
This specific rotator cuff muscle sits on top of the scapula and is the most commonly injured muscle in the group.
the supraspinatus
This orthopedic physical exam maneuver requires the patient to empty an imaginary beverage can against resistance to isolate and test the supraspinatus tendon.
empty can test
Shrugging your shoulders upward toward your ears is an example of this anatomical movement.
elevation
This common wear-and-tear condition involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to bone-on-bone friction and stiffness.
osterartiritis
The shoulder is classified as this type of joint, which allows for the highest range of motion in the human body.
ball-and-socket joint
This large, kite-shaped muscle of the back and neck extends down to the shoulder blade, helping to shrug the shoulders.
the trapezius
This test for a rotator cuff tear is positive if the patient cannot slowly and controllably lower their arm from a 90-degree sideways position.
Drop Arm Test
This circular movement combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, allowing a pitcher to wind up.
circumduction
Often caused by falling onto an outstretched hand, this is a break in the slender bone that connects the shoulder to the breastbone.
clavicle fracture
This shallow cavity or socket on the scapula accommodates the head of the upper arm bone.
the glenoid cavity
This ring of cartilage surrounds the shoulder socket to help keep the arm bone securely in place.
the glenoid labrum
This test assesses for anterior shoulder instability by placing the patient's arm into a throwing position and watching for a look of alarm or discomfort.
Apprehension Test
Moving the shoulder blades forward and away from the spine, as if reaching for something, is known as this.
protraction
This sudden injury happens when one or more of the four tendons stabilizing the shoulder completely or partially rip away from the bone.
rotator cuff tear