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Joints and joint actions of the scapula and shoulder girdle. Description of the scapulothoracic (ST), sternoclavicular (SC), and acromioclavicular (AC) joints and the scapula, joint actions/motions of retraction, protraction, elevation, depression, and upward and downward rotation. 

Lesson 6: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

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The scapula (shoulder blade) and shoulder girdle are comprised of two joints, the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) and sternoclavicular joint (SC joint), and analysis of the motion usually refers to a false joint known as the scapulothoracic joint. The scapulothoracic joint is not a true joint because there are no joint capsules or ligaments connecting the scapula to the thoracic spine or rib cage. The scapula is held to the thorax by scapular muscle activity, and the joints connecting the clavicle (collar bone) to the scapula and sternum.

The name of the joint actions of the scapula are different than the joint actions commonly used for other synovial joints of the body. The eight additional joint actions for describing scapulothoracic motion include protraction, retraction, depression, elevation, upward rotation, downward rotation, anterior tipping, and posterior tipping. Note, these joint actions correspond to the planes of motion and recruitment of muscles. For example, the concentric phase of a wide-grip (conventional) pull-up is an example of shoulder adduction and scapular downward rotation, downward rotation is a frontal plane motion that is the result of pectoralis minor, rhomboid, and levator scapulae recruitment. Another example, the concentric phase of a shoulder press is an example of upward rotation and elevation of the scapula, both actions occurring in the frontal plane; however, to achieve a full range of motion at the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) the scapula will also posteriorly tip, which is a sagittal plane motion.

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the shoulder girdle and scapula joint actions for detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing scapular muscles (e.g. the serratus anterior), shoulder muscles (e.g. rotator cuff), upper arm muscles (e.g. biceps brachii), and vertebral column muscles (e.g. rhomboids). In addition, this knowledge is fundamental to more complex topics like scapular kinematics (relationship between scapular motion, the glenoid cavity, and the humeral head), role in injury (e.g. shoulder pain, shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff strain/tear, frozen shoulder - you don't always need rotator cuff repair), and sports performance (e.g. throwing, shooting, punching, lifting).

An anterior view of the scapula, clavicle, and humerus, and connective tissue with the boney landmarks and labeled

Course Description: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Joint Actions

Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion Study Guide

Study Guide: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

In this video, we define the joint actions of the scapula (a.k.a. scapulothoracic joint or shoulder girdle). This includes the transverse plane motions protraction and retraction; the frontal plane motions of depression, elevation, upward rotation, downward rotation; and the sagittal plane motions of anterior tipping and posterior tipping. This course also provides examples of each, and movement analysis of several common exercises. This is foundational knowledge for all movement professionals, including personal trainers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.

Video Lesson: Joint Actions of the Shoulder Girdle

 - where the sternum meets the proximal end of the clavicle.

 - "breastbone," 1660s, from Greek sternon "chest, breast, breastbone" (in Homer, only of males), also "the breast as the seat of affections," related to stornynai "to spread out," from PIE *ster-no- "to stretch, extend," from root *stere-, *ster- "to spread," related to stornynai "to spread out" (see 

 (n.)), on the notion of the chest as broad and flat, as opposed to the neck. Related: Sternal. (

The sternoclavicular joint with boney landmarks and ligaments labeled   

Sternoclavicular Joint - By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 325, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85419

 - where the acromion of the scapula meets the distal end of the clavicle

Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint) - By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 326, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85420

Introduction

 describe motion occurring at joints. Much like 

, these terms are specific language (jargon) used to communicate motion between professionals. Joint actions are specific to 

 and in most cases are labeled relative to the 

Special Notes about Shoulder Girdle (Scapular) Motion:

Although it may be referred to as the "scapulothoracic joint," the scapula is not a true joint. There is no bony connection between the scapula and the thorax. In fact, the only joint holding the arm, shoulder, scapula, and clavicle to the thorax is the sternoclavicular joint.

Shoulder girdle motion is a combination of motions that occur at the acromioclavicular joints (AC) and sternoclavicular (SC) joints respectively, and in lessons addressing 

 we will find that the shoulder girdle motion is also affected by the motion of the ribs and thoracic spine. Most muscles affecting the shoulder girdle act on the scapula, so, rather than discussing the relatively complex relationship between the AC, SC, thoracic spine, and ribs, it is common practice to refer to shoulder girdle motion by the resultant motion observed at the scapula.

The scapula has its own set of joint actions:

The shoulder girdle has a set of joint actions specific to motion of the scapula. Although this may seem like just another set of confusing terms to memorize, it is actually fortunate that we have a separate set of terms to use. When we start analyzing scapulohumeral motion in later lessons it reduces confusion between the motion that is specific to the shoulder and the motion that is specific to the shoulder girdle (scapula).

The motion of protraction and retraction of the scapula during the pushup exercise

Transverse Plane Joint Actions

The motion of elevation and depression of the scapula during an arm raise

The motion of upward and downward rotation of the scapula during an arm raise

Frontal Plane Joint Actions

The motion of anterior tipping and posterior tipping of the scapula in the sagittal plane

Sagittal Plane Joint Actions

Shoulder Girdle (Scapular) Motion

Joint Actions, Planes and Sample Exercise Activity

Joint Actions, Planes and Sample Exercise Activity Answer Key

Activity

Carolyn Richardson, Paul Hodges, Julie Hides. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbo Pelvic Stabilization – A Motor Control Approach for the Treatment and Prevention of Low Back Pain: 2nd Edition (c) Elsevier Limited, 2004

John V. Basmajian, Carlo J. De Luca. Muscles Alive: Their Function Revealed by ElectroMyography. 1985

Bibliography

Questions, comments, and criticisms are welcomed and encouraged

Lesson 6: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

Related Courses:

Course Description: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Joint Actions

Study Guide: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

Video Lesson: Joint Actions of the Shoulder Girdle

Introduction

Shoulder Girdle (Scapular) Motion
3 Sub Sections

Activity
2 Sub Sections

Bibliography

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Lesson 6: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

Related Courses:

Course Description: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Joint Actions

Study Guide: Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Scapular Motion

Video Lesson: Joint Actions of the Shoulder Girdle

Introduction

Shoulder Girdle (Scapular) Motion3 Sub Sections

Activity2 Sub Sections

Bibliography

Related Courses:

Comments

Guest

Shoulder Girdle (Scapular) Motion
3 Sub Sections

Activity
2 Sub Sections