Shoulder anatomy

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The shoulder is made up of three bones—the clavicle, scapula, and humerus—held together by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and a joint capsule.

The collarbone (clavicle) attaches the shoulder to the breastbone (sternum). It connects with the large, flat, triangular shoulder blade (scapula) at its upper, outer corner (acromion).
The acromion extends from the scapula to form the roof of the shoulder. It lies above the shoulder socket, called the glenoid fossa. The top (head) of the upper arm bone (humerus) is cradled in this socket, forming the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint).
The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons—the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor—that stabilize the shoulder joint and allow raising and rotating of the arm.

Credits

Author	Colleen Cronin
Author	Lila Havens
Editor	Katy E. Magee, MA
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy
Last Updated	February 10, 2006

Last updated:	February 10, 2006
Author:	Lila Havens
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen

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