Upper Limb Flashcards
The clavicle develops via both intramembranous & endochondral ossification. The medial growth plate is the last in the body to close – approx 23-25 yrs. Why is that useful to know?
- Help identify the age of the skeleton
- To tell if skeletal growth is complete
Describe the plane of the scapula relative to the frontal (coronal) plane of the body:
30-45 degrees
Describe the position of the scapula relative to the thorax:
a) Root of the spine of scapula
b) Inferior angle
a) 3rd rib
b) 7th rib/ intercostal space
State the attachments of the intra-articular disc.
Inferior attachment =
superior attachment =
inferior = cartilage of 1st costal superior = articular surface of clavicle
What is the function of the intra-articular disc?
To enhance joint curvature and contact and to absorb joint forces
Why is rotation of the clavicle termed conjunct rotation?
conjunct rotation occurs as a results of the tightening of a passive structure. During UL abduction the conoid ligament is tightened and causes clavicular rotation
Explain how the conoid ligament produces upward rotation of the clavicle.
What is the advantage of this?
The conoid ligament attaches to the posterior medial part of the clavicle (conoid tubercle), when tightened, the tubercle is pulled towards the coracoid process of the scapular creating upwards rotation. This is advantageous as upwards rotation of the clavicle allows increased rotation of the scapular and this increased GHJ range of motion, through conjunct rotation
the glenoid labrum
• where does it attach?
• what is it made of?
• what are its functions?
attachment: margin of the glenoid cavity
made of: fibrocartilage
functions: to increase articular surface and absorb joint forces
Which tendon attaches to the supraglenoid tubercle and the superior aspect of the labrum and what is a possible consequence of this?
The tendon of the long head of biceps brachii, as a result is can become impinged during GHJ movement
The inferior glenohumeral ligament complex (IGHLC) – has anterior & posterior bands with a loose axillary pouch between them. Why?
The pouch allows extra range of movement when stretched
The transverse humeral ligament is extra-capsular. What is its function?
To hold the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii in place
Which 2 ligaments provide the main resistance to Inferior translation of the humerus when the upper limb is adducted (relaxed standing)?
coracohumeral ligament and superior glenohumeral ligament
The GHJ is the most mobile and most commonly dislocated joint in the body. Anterior-inferior (subcoracoid) dislocation is by far the most common. Which ligament resists anterior / inferior translation of the humeral head on the glenoid when the upper limb is in a position of 90 degrees abduction + external rotation:
anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex
Which structures form the coracoacromial arch?
coracoid process of clavicle, acromion process of scapular and coracoacromial ligament
What is the subacromial space?
The space below the coracoacromial arch, which contains the sub-acromial bursa, supraspinatus and long head of biceps brachii tendon
Name the 3 anatomical joints of the shoulder region involved in achieving full (~180 degrees) UL abduction AND state their relative contribution to that movement (in degrees or fractions).
- GHJ > 120 degrees - 2 thirds
- ACJ > 20 degrees
- SCJ > 40 degrees
ACJ & SCJ make up 1 third
What is meant by medial winging of the scapular?
lifting of the medial boarder of the scapular during dynamic movement due to instability
What could cause medial winging of the scapular?
- Muscle weakness:
- Nerve dysfunction:
- Muscle weakness: serratus anterior
2. Nerve dysfunction: long thoracic n. or C5 to C7 trunk
What muscle does the suprascapular nerve innervate?
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
Define varus alignment
distal end is medial compared to the proximal end
Define valgus alignment
distal end is lateral compared to the proximal end
The normal alignment of the humerus and ulna in the frontal plane is
10-15 degrees valgus
The olecranon process of the ulna is an attachment for?
triceps brachii
The ulnar tuberosity of the ulna is an attachment for?
brachialis
The articular fovea of the head of the radius articulates with?
The captiulum of humerus
The articular circumference of the head of the radius articulates with?
The radial notch of the ulna
Which structures limit elbow flexion?
humeroulnar and humeroradial articulation & muscle bulk
Which structures limit elbow extension?
the olecranon process of the ulna and muscle tension
Which structures limit elbow supination?
IOL tension, the oblique cord & pronators
Which structures limit elbow pronation?
IOL tension, oblique cord and supinators
In elbow extension, what limits valgus?
AMCL + humeral-ulnar articulation
In elbow flexion, what limits valgus?
AMCL > humeral-ulnar articulation
In elbow extension, what limits varus?
humeral-ulnar articulation > LCLC
In elbow flexion, what limits varus?
humeral-ulnar articulation > LCLC
Any muscle involved in supination – pronation must insert onto the:
cubital fossa
Name the 2 primary muscles of supination:
supinator and biceps brachii
Identify the boundaries of the cubital fossa.
medial border of brachioradialis, medial border of pronator teres and the epicondyle line
The main contents of the cubital fossa (from lateral to medial) are the:
- biceps brachii tendon
- brachial artery
- median nerve
- ?
ulnar nerve
Palpate the cubital tunnel behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Which nerve travels through here?
ulnar nerve
The humerus has two necks; the anatomical and the surgical, why are they called this?
Anatomical neck is directly below the head of the humerus - anatomical location
Surgical neck is located at a common fracture site that often requires surgery
What movement does the anterior sternoclavicular ligament resist?
Anterior glide of the medial end of clavicle; retraction of clavicle
What movement does the posterior sternoclavicular ligament resist?
Posterior glide of the medial end of clavicle; protraction of clavicle
What movement does the interclavicular ligament resist?
Superior glide of the medial end of clavicle; lateral displacement
What movement does the Intra-articular disc resist?
Medial displacement of the clavicle
What movement does the costoclavicular ligament resist?
Everything except inferior displacement
What movement does the Superior acromioclavicular ligament resist?
all glides of clavicle on acromion
What movement does the Inferior acromioclavicular ligament resist?
all glides of clavicle on acromion
What movement does the Trapezoid ligament resist?
Scapula moving medial relative to clavicle
What movement does the Conoid ligament resist?
Lateral clavicle moving superiorly
suspends the scapula
What movement does the Coracoacromial ligament resist?
If GHJ is very unstable it can resist the superior migration of the HOH
What muscles perform Sternoclavicular / clavicular elevation?
superior fibers of trapezius
What muscles perform Clavicular depression?
Subclavius
What muscles perform Scapular elevation?
superior fibers of trapezius
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid minor
Rhomboid major
What muscles perform Scapular depression?
Lower trapezius +/- pectoralis minor
What muscles perform Scapular abduction / protraction?
Serratus anterior
Pectoralis minor
What muscles perform Scapular adduction / retraction?
Superior, middle + lower trapezius
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid major
Rhomboid minor
What muscles perform Scapular upward rotation?
Superior, middle & lower trapezius
Serratus anterior
What muscles perform Scapular downward rotation?
Levator scapulae
Rhomboid major
Rhomboid minor
What muscles perform Scapular anterior tilt?
Rhomboid major
Rhomboid minor
Levator scapulae
Pectoralis minor
What muscles perform GHJ flexion?
Anterior deltoid Middle deltoid Clavicular head pectoralis major Coracobrachialis Biceps brachii
What muscles perform GHJ Extension?
Sternal head pectoralis major
Latissimus dorsi
Teres major
Posterior deltoid
What muscles perform GHJ Abduction?
Middle deltoid*
Anterior deltoid
Supraspinatus (SST)
What muscles perform GHJ Adduction?
Posterior deltoid
Sternal head pectoralis major
What muscles perform GHJ Internal (medial) rotation?
Subscapularis (SSC)
Anterior deltoid
Pectoralis Major
Latissimus dorsi
What muscles perform GHJ External (lateral) rotation?
Infraspinatus (IST) Teres minor (T min) Posterior deltoid
What muscles perform GHJ Horizontal flexion/ adduction?
Pectoralis major
Anterior deltoid
What muscles perform GHJ Horizontal extension/ abduction?
Posterior deltoid
infraspinatus
What spinal levels make up the Brachial Plexus
C5 - T1
What major nerves are part of the Posterior Cord?
Axillary Radial Upper subscapular Thoracodorsal Lower subscapular
What major nerves are part of the Lateral Cord?
Lateral pectoral
Musculocutaneous
What major nerves are part of the Medial Cord?
Medial pectoral
Ulnar
What major nerve is part of both the medial and lateral cord?
Median
What are the boundaries and contents of the suprascapular foramen?
Boundaries: superior border of scapula, superior transverse scapular ligament
Contains: suprascapular nerve
What are the boundaries and contents of the quadrangular space?
Boundaries: shaft of the humerus laterally, the long head of the triceps medially, the teres minor muscle superiorly, and the teres major muscle inferiorly
Contains: Auxiliary nerve and posterior humeral circumflex artery
What are the boundaries and contents of the triangular interval?
Boundaries: teres major superiorly, the long head of the triceps medially, and the lateral head of the triceps laterally
Contains: Radial nerve and profunda brachii artery