Shoulder Joint

The Shoulder
(Glenohumeral) Joint
DR IBORO EDET
The shoulder joint (glenohumeral
joint) is an articulation between
the scapular and the humerus.
The articulation between the head of
the humerus and the glenoid cavity (or
fossa) of the scapula gives the name
‘glynohumeral joint’.
It is a ball and socket-type synovial
joint, and one of the most mobile joints
in the human body.
The articulating surfaces are covered

with hyaline cartilage.
The head of the humerus is much larger
than the glenoid fossa, giving the joint a
wide range of movement at the cost of
instability
To reduce the disproportion in surfaces, the
glenoid fossa is deepened by the glenoid
labrum - a fibrocartilage rim.
The joint capsule extends from
the anatomical neck of the humerus to
the border or ‘rim’ of the glenoid fossa.
The capsule is lax (not tight) – permitting

greater mobility (particularly abduction).
The synovial membrane lines the
inner surface of the joint capsule and
produces synovial fluid to reduce
friction between the articular
surfaces.
Ligaments of shoulder joints
Glenohumeral ligaments (superior, middle

and inferior) – extend from the humerus to
the glenoid fossa, reinforcing the joint
capsule.
They act to stabilise the anterior aspect of

the joint.
Coracohumeral ligament – extends from the
base of the coracoid process to the greater
tubercle of the humerus. It supports the
superior part of the joint capsule.
Transverse humeral ligament –
extends between the two tubercles of
the humerus. It holds the tendon of
the long head of the biceps in the
intertubercular groove.
Coracoacromial ligament – extends between
the acromion and coracoid process of the
scapula, forming an arch-like structure over the
shoulder joint (coracoacromial arch). This
resists superior displacement of the humeral
head.
Bursae
A bursa is a sac-like structure
containing a small amount
of synovial fluid.
It functions to decrease friction
between tendons, bone, and skin
during movement.
Bursae in the shoulder joint:
Subacromial bursa
located deep to the deltoid
and acromion, and superficial
to the supraspinatus tendon
and joint capsule.
It reduces friction beneath

the deltoid, promoting free
motion of the rotator cuff
tendons.
Subscapular bursa – located between
the subscapularis tendon and the
scapula.
It reduces friction on the tendon during

movement at the shoulder joint.
There are other minor bursae present

between the tendons of the muscles
around the joint.
Movements at the shoulder joint
Extension (upper limb
backwards in sagittal plane).
Flexion (upper limb forwards in

sagittal plane)
Abduction (upper limb away

from midline in coronal plane)
Adduction (upper limb towards midline in
coronal plane)
Internal rotation (rotation towards the
midline, so that the thumb is pointing
medially)
External rotation (rotation away from the
midline, so that the thumb is pointing
laterally)
Circumduction (moving the upper limb in a
circle)
Stability of the shoulder joint
• Rotator cuff muscles

• Glenoid labrum
• Ligaments
• Biceps tendon
Blood Supply of the shoulder joint
• Anterior and posterior circumflex

humeral arteries –branches of the
axillary artery.
• Suprascapular artery - a branch of

the thyrocervical trunk.
Innervation of the shoulder joint
Sensory innervation is from the

Axillary and suprascapular nerves.
• N/B: axilary nerve lies close to the

joint and around the surgical neck
of the humerus hence can be
damaged during dislocation causing
paralysis of deltoid.
THE ELBOW JOINT
Is the joint connecting the upper arm

to the forearm. It is a hinge-
type synovial joint.
Articulating Surfaces
• Trochlear notch of the ulna and the

trochlea of the humerus.
• Head of the radius and the capitulum of

the humerus.
N/B: The proximal radioulnar joint is found

within same joint capsule of the elbow.
Elbow joint capsule
is thickened medially and laterally
to form collateral ligaments, which
stabilise the arm during flexion and
extension.
Elbow joint Bursae
function to decrease friction between
tendons, bone, and skin during movement.
Elbow bursae include:
Intratendinous olecranon – located within the
tendon of the triceps brachii.
Subtendinous olecranon – between the

olecranon and the tendon of the triceps brachii
Subcutaneous olecranon bursa – between the

olecranon and the overlying connective tissue
(implicated in olecranon bursitis).
Ligaments of elbow joint
1. Radial collateral ligament

2. Ulnar collateral ligament
Radial collateral ligament is found on

the lateral side of the joint, extending
from the lateral epicondyle, and
blending with the annular ligament of
the radius (a ligament from the
proximal radioulnar joint)
Ulnar collateral ligament originates from
the medial epicondyle, and attaches to the
coronoid process and olecranon of the
ulna.
Blood supply: branches of brachial
arteries.
Innervation: branches of the medial,

musculocutaneous, radial and ulnar
nerves.
Movements at elbow joint
Extension – triceps brachii

and anconeus
Flexion – brachialis, biceps

brachii, brachioradialis
The wrist joint
The wrist joint (the radiocarpal joint) is an
articulation between the radius and the
carpal bones of the hand.
It is an ellipsoidal (condyloid)
type synovial joint which marks the area of
transition between the forearm and the
hand
Articulating Surfaces
Is between:
Distal end of the radius and the articular

disk and Proximal row of the carpal bones
(except the pisiform).
Articulating Surfaces cont.
The carpal bones form

a convex surface, which fits into
the concave shape of the radius
and articular disk.
The ulna is prevented from articulating with
the carpal bones by the presence of a
fibrocartilaginous ligament, the articular
disk.
The ulna rather articulates with the radius

just proximal to the wrist – at the distal
radioulnar joint.
The joint capsule of the
wrist joint attaches to the
radius, ulna and the
proximal row of the carpal
bones.
Ligaments of the wrist joint
• Palmar radiocarpal
• Dorsal radiocarpal
• Ulnar collateral
• Radial collateral
Palmar radiocarpal – located on
the palmar (anterior) side of the
joint. It passes from the radius to
both rows of carpal bones. Its
function, apart from increasing
stability, is to ensure that the hand
follows the forearm during
supination.
Dorsal radiocarpal – Found on the
dorsum (posterior) side of the hand.
It passes from the radius to both
rows of carpal bones.
It contributes to the stability of the

wrist, but also ensures that the hand
follows the forearm during
pronation.
Ulnar collateral – Runs from the
ulnar styloid process to the
triquetrum and pisiform. It acts to
prevent excessive radial (lateral)
deviation of the hand.
Radial collateral – Runs from the
radial styloid process to the scaphoid
and trapezium. It acts to prevent
excessive ulnar (medial) deviation of
the hand.
Movements
• Flexion
• Extension
• Abduction
• adduction
Blood supply
The wrist joint receives blood from

branches of the dorsal and palmar
carpal arches, which are derived
from the ulnar and radial arteries
Innervation
• Median nerve
• Ulnar nerve
• Radial nerve

Shoulder Joint

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The Shoulder

The articulating surfaces are covered

The capsule is lax (not tight) – permitting

Glenohumeral ligaments (superior, middle

They act to stabilise the anterior aspect of

It reduces friction beneath

It reduces friction on the tendon during

There are other minor bursae present

Flexion (upper limb forwards in

Abduction (upper limb away

• Rotator cuff muscles

• Anterior and posterior circumflex

• Suprascapular artery - a branch of

Sensory innervation is from the

• N/B: axilary nerve lies close to the

Is the joint connecting the upper arm

• Trochlear notch of the ulna and the

• Head of the radius and the capitulum of

N/B: The proximal radioulnar joint is found

Subtendinous olecranon – between the

Subcutaneous olecranon bursa – between the

1. Radial collateral ligament

Radial collateral ligament is found on

Innervation: branches of the medial,

Extension – triceps brachii

Flexion – brachialis, biceps

Distal end of the radius and the articular

The carpal bones form

The ulna rather articulates with the radius

It contributes to the stability of the

The wrist joint receives blood from

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