Shoulder Joint Anatomy (Glenohumeral Joint)
Integrated functional anatomy of the shoulder joint – Bones, joints, palpation, ligaments, nerves, joint anatomy, joint actions, arthrokinematics, muscles, fascia, and range of motion of the shoulder. Highlighting the behaviors in postural dysfunction, shoulder pain, shoulder impingement, rotator cuff injuries, upper cross syndrome, and common interventions for the glenohumeral/shoulder joint.
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Course Description: Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint
This course describes shoulder joint anatomy, which includes the glenohumeral joint. This includes descriptions of the bones, synovial joints, joint actions, ligaments, bursae, relative location, the relationship between the bones of the shoulder/humerus, and the muscles that cross them. Further, this course discusses palpation and introduces shoulder joint specific exercises, manual techniques, and interventions for dysfunction, pain, posture, and movement impairment. The shoulder joint is included in the common compensation patterns known as rounded shoulder posture (RSP), upper-crossed syndrome (UCS), shoulder medial rotation syndrome (SMRS), and upper body dysfunction (UBD). Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) with advanced knowledge of the glenohumeral joint will improve their ability to analyze human movement and develop sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical rehabilitation/physical therapy (e.g. impingement syndrome, rotator cuff injury, scapula (shoulder blade) dysfunction, shoulder arthritis, shoulder replacement, forward head posture, thoracic kyphosis, sternocostal pain, and medial epicondylitis of the elbow), the effect the shoulder joint has on upper extremity alignment (e.g. excessive shoulder internal rotation), and shoulder joint specific techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. upper body (upper limb) stability, strength, hypertrophy, agility, and power).
Pre-approved credits for:
Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:
- Athletic Trainers
- Chiropractors
- Group Exercise Instructors
- Massage Therapists
- Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
- Personal Trainers
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Yoga Instructors
This Course Includes:
- AI Tutor
- Study Guide
- Text and Illustrations
- Audio Voice-over
- Technique Videos
- Practice Exam
- Pre-approved Final Exam
Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the Shoulder Joint (see videos below):
- Assess:
- Overhead Squat Assessment: Arms Fall
- Goniometry: Shoulder Internal Rotation
- Goniometry: Shoulder External Rotation
- Self-administered Techniques:
- Manual Techniques:
- Mobilization: Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint Anterior to Posterior Mobilization
- Manipulation: Thoracic Spine Manipulation

Course Study Guide: Shoulder Joint Anatomy (Glenohumeral Joint)
Introduction to the Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint
Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint Palpation
Shoulder Joint Connective Tissues: Capsule and Ligaments
Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint Bursae
Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint Nerves
Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint Actions3 Sub Sections
Postural Dysfunction and the Shoulder Joint2 Sub Sections
Videos2 Sub Sections
Bibliography
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- Altered Arthrokinematics:
- Lawrence, R.L., Braman, J.P., Staker, J.L., Laprade, R.F., Ludewig, P.M. (2014) Comparison of 3-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain, Part 2: Glenohumeral joint
- Muscle Activity:
- José Miota Ibarra, Hong-You Ge, Chao Wang, Vicente Martínez Vizcaíno, Thomas Graven-Nielsen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen. Latent Myofascial Trigger Points are Associated With an Increased Antagonistic Muscle Activity During Agonist Muscle Contraction– The Journal of Pain, Volume 12, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 1282–1288
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- Scapula and Movement
- Ha, Sung-min., Kown, Oh-yum., Cynn, Heon-seock., Lee, Won-hwee., Park, Kyue-nam., Kim, Si-hyun., & Jun, Do-young. (2012) Comparison of electromyographic activity of the lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscle in different arm-lifting scapular posterior tilt exercises. Physical Therapy in Sport, 13, 227-232
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- Cools, A.M., Witvrouw, E.E., Declercq, G.A., Danneels, L.A., Cambier, D.C. (2003) Scapular muscle recruitment patterns: Trapezius muscle latency with and without impingement symptoms. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 31(4). 542-549
- Tsai NT, McClure PW, Karduna AR. (2003). Effects of muscle fatigue on 3-Dimensional scapular kinematics. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 84: 1000-1005
- Altered Motion Scapula
- Ludewig P.M., Cook, T.M. (2000) Alterations in shoulder kinematics and associated muscle activity in people with symptoms of shoulder impingement. Physical Therapy. 80 (3) 276-291
- Lawrence, R. L., Braman, J. P., Laprade, R. F., & Ludewig, P. M. (2014). Comparison of 3-dimensional shoulder complex kinematics in individuals with and without shoulder pain, part 1: sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulothoracic joints. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 44(9), 636-A8
- Fayad F, Roby-Brami A, Yazbeck C, Hanneton S, Lefevre-Colau MM, Gautheron V, Poiraudeau S, Revel M. (2008). “Three-dimensional scapular kinematics and scapulohumeral rhythm in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis or frozen shoulder.” 2008 Jbiomech, 41(2): 326-332
- Regional Interdependence:
- Suzuki, H., Swanik, K. A., Huxel, K. C., Kelly, J. D., & Swanik, C. B. (2006). Alterations in upper extremity motion after scapular-muscle fatigue. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 15(1), 71
- Kwon JW, Son SM, Lee NK. (2015). Changes in upper-extremity muscle activities due to head position in subjects with a forward head posture and rounded shoulders. J Phys Ther Sci. 27: 1739-1742
- Helgadottir, H., Kristjansson, E., Einarsson, E., Karduna, A., & Jonsson, H. (2011). Altered activity of the serratus anterior during unilateral arm elevation in patients with cervical disorders. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology,21(6), 947-953
- Thigpen CA, Padua DA, Michener LA, Guskiewicz K, Giuliani C, Keener JD, Stergiou N. (2010). Head and shoulder posture affect scapular mechanics and muscle activity in overhead tasks. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 20: 701-709
- Carvalhais, VO., Ocarino, Jde M., Araújo, VL., Souza, TR., Silva, PL., Fonseca, ST. (2012). Myofascial force transmission between the latissimus dorsi and gluteus maximus muscles: An in vivo experiment. Journal of Biomechanics 46. 1003-1007
- Ayhan, C., Camci, E., & Baltaci, G. (2015). Distal radius fractures result in alterations in scapular kinematics: A three-dimensional motion analysis. Clinical Biomechanics
- Day, J. M., Bush, H., Nitz, A. J., & Uhl, T. L. (2015). Scapular Muscle Performance in Individuals With Lateral Epicondylalgia. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, (Early Access), 1-35
- Otoshi, K., Takegami, M., Sekiguchi, M., Onishi, Y., Yamazaki, S., Otani, K., Shishido, H., Shinichi, K., Shinichi, K. (2014). Association between kyphosis and subacromial impingement syndrome: LOHAS study. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 23. e300-e307
- Exercise
- Suprak DN, Bohannon J, Morales G, et al. (2013). Scapular kinematics and shoulder elevation in a traditional push-up. Journal of Athletic Training. 48(6): 826-835
- Ha, S., Kwon, O., Cynn, H., Lee, W., Kim, S., Park, K. (2013). Selective activation of the infraspinatus muscle. Journal of Athletic Training. 48(3). 346-352
- Dark A, Ginn KA, Halaki M. (2007). Shoulder muscle recruitment patterns during commonly used rotator cuff exercises: an electromyographic study. Pys Ther. 87: 1039-1046
- Kaya, E., Zinnuroglu, M., Tugeu, I. (2010) Kinesio taping compared to physical therapy modalities for the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome. Clinical Rheumatology. (30) 201-207
- Wang, C., McClure, P., Pratt, N., Nobilini, R. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Their Effect on Three-Dimensional Scapular Kinematics. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 vol. 80, 923-929
- Cools, A.M., Dewitte, V., Lanszweert, F., Notebaert, D., Roets, A., Soetens, B., Cagnie, B., Witvrouw, E.E. (2007) Rehabilitation of Scapular Muscle Balance. Which Exercises to Prescribe? Am J Sports Med, 35(10), 1744-1751
- Uhl, T. L., Carver, T. J., Mattacola, C. G., Mair, S. D., & Nitz, A. J. (2003). Shoulder musculature activation during upper extremity weight-bearing exercise. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 33(3), 109-117
- Reed D, Cathers I, Halaki M, Ginn KA. (2015). Does load influence shoulder muscle recruitment patterns during scapular plane abduction? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
- Hardwick DH, Beebe JA, McDonnell MK, Lang CE. (2006). A comparison of serratus anterior muscle activation during a wall slide exercise and other traditional exercises. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 36(12) 903-910
- Pectoralis Inhibition
- Wang HK, Cochorane T. 2001. Mobility impairment, muscle imbalance, muscle weakness, scapular asymmetry and shoulder injury in elite volleyball athletes. J Sport Med Phys Fitness 41(3): 403-10
- Glousman R, Jobe F, Tibone J, Moynes D, Antonelli D, Perry J. Dynamic Electromyographic analysis of the throwing shoulder with glenohumeral instability. J Bone Joint Surg 70A(2):220-226, 1988.
- Glousman R, Jobe F, Tibone J, Moynes D, Antonelli D, Perry J. Dynamic Electromyographic analysis of the throwing shoulder with glenohumeral instability. J Bone Joint Surg 70A(2):220-226, 1988
- Fascia
- Schleip R; Findley T; Chaitow L., Huijing P. Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
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