GLENOHUMERAL JOINT

Joint Structures
Arthrokinematics
Close packed positions
Images: anterior shoulder anatomy

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Joint Structures:

• Coracohumeral ligament
  • elongates with and limits external rotation.
  • Anterior band elongates with and limits GH EXTENSION
  • Posterior band elongates with and limits GH FLEXION
  • image of coracohumeral ligament (Palmer & Blakely, 1986)

• Glenohumeral ligament
  • Once the glenohumeral joint joint is externally rotated, this ligament elongates with and limits abduction.

  • sagittal plane image of glenohumeral joint capsule (Culham & Peat, 1993) showing bands of glenohumeral ligament: SGHL - SUPERIOR GLENOHUMERAL LIGAMENT
    MGHL - MIDDLE GLENOHUMERAL LIGAMENT
    IGHL - INFERIOR GLENOHUMERAL LIGAMENT

• Transverse humeral ligament

  depicted in blue in figure to right crosses the bicipital groove and contains the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii within the groove (Hertling & Kessler, 1996, Fig. 9-7, pp.169-170)

• Subacromial region
  • a region that lies superior to the humeral head
    and inferior to the acromion process and the coracoacromial ligament

  • location of subacromial/subdeltoid bursae and supraspinatus tendon

  • image of subacromial region in frontal plane

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Arthrokinematics of the glenohumeral joint
during glenohumeral abduction:

• Convex humeral head rolls upward and glides downward on scapula's concave glenoid fossa.

• Humerus' greater tubercle will impinge on the coracoacromial ligament or the acromion process unless the humerus externally rotates.

• Forces that guide the arthrokinematics:
  1. glenohumeral ligament
  2. rotator cuff muscles

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Close-packed positions of the GH joint:

1. horizontal abduction and external rotation (Hertling & Kessler, 1996)
2. flexion and internal rotation (Culham & Peat, 1993)

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References

Culham, E. & Peat, M. (1993). Functional anatomy of the shoulder complex. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 18, 342-350.

Hertling, D., & Kessler, R. M. (1996). Management of common musculoskeletal disorders: Physical therapy principles and methods. (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott.

Palmer, M. L. & Blakely, R. L. (1986). Documentation of medial rotation accompanying shoulder flexion. A case report. Physical Therapy, 66, 55-58.

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Last updated 11-8-01 ©Dave Thompson PT
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