Unit 4: Biomechanics of the Upper Limb & Spine Flashcards
What is the major function of the upper limb?
To position the hand in space
What are the 3 synoviL articulations of the shoulder joint?
Glenohumeral
Acromioclaviclar
Sternoclavicular
What is the fourth bone-on-muscle-on-bone articulation?
Scapulthoracic
What forms the glenohumeral joint?
Humeral head & glenoid fossa of the scapula
What aids the stability of the glenohumeral joint?
Glenoid labrum (thick cartilaginous rim) Tharticulation is surrounded by a capsule and rotator cuff
What are the 4 muscles that make up the rotator cuff?
Subscapularis
Infraspinatus
Supraspinatus
Teres minor
How does the rotator cuff stabilise the joint?
Pushes on the humeral head preventing any anterior-posterior movement
What comprises the acromioclavicular joint?
Proximal acromoin of the scapula and distal clavicle
What stabilises the AC joint?
Superior & inferior AC ligaments
Coracoclavicular ligament
Why is there only a few degrees of motion at AC joint?
Restricted by thorax & muscle attachments
What is the only bony joint connnecting the shoulder girdle to the trunk?
Sternoclavicular joint
How does the clavicle move as the arm abducts?
Elevates by 4 degrees for every 10 degrees of arm elevation up to 90 degrees then the elevation is negligible
What determines the axis around which the clavicle rotates during elevation & depression?
Attachment of the costoclavicular ligament
What muscles separate the anterior surface of the scapula from the posterior thorax?
Serratus anterior
Subscapularis
What are the origins & insertions of the serratus anterior muscle?
Originates on the upper 8 or 9 ribs and inserts on the anterior surface of the scapula along its vertebral border
What is the purpose of the serratus anterior?
Holds scapula against thorax preventing “winging”
Strong abductor useful in pulling or pushing movements
What is the origin & insertion of the subscapularis muscle?
Originates from subscapular fossa and inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus
What is the function of the subscapularis muscle?
Medially rotate the humerus
What is shoulder elevation?
Movement of the humerus away from the side of the thorax in any plane
What is the normal range of forward flexion and abduction of the shoulder?
180 degrees
What is the normal range of backward extension of the shoulder?
60 degrees
What is the normal range of adduction with the arm moving in front of the trunk?
75 degrees
What is the normal range of horizontal flexion of the shoulder?
135 degrees
What is the normal range of horizontal extension of the shoulder?
45 degrees
What are the different movements of the shoulder?
Abduction/Adduction
Forward flexion/Backward extension
Horizontal flexion/Horizontal extension
Internal/External rotation
What is the range of motion of internal and external rotation of the shoulder?
90 degrees of each
What is the most common dislocation of the shoulder?
Anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral articulation
In what situation is their mostly likely to be an anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral articulation and why?
Heavy blow when arm is abducted and extended (arm acts as first class lever)
What are the 3 synovial articulations of the elbow?
Humeroradial articulation
Humeroulnar articulation
Proximal radioulnar articulation
What forms the humeroradial articulation?
Capitellum of the distal humerus & head of the radius
What forms the humeroulnar articulation/
Trochlea of the distal humerus & trochlear fossa of the proximal ulna
What forms the proximal radioulnar articulation?
Head of the radius & radial notch of the proximal ulna
Where does the axis of rotation pass through in the elbow?
Middle of the trochlea (roughly parallel to the line joining the lateral and medial epicondyles of the humerus)
What is the range of flexion-extension of the elbow?
140 degrees