Shoulder and Arm
Stephen Thompson, Luke Choi, Stephen Brockmeier, Mark D. Miller
Regional Anatomy and Surgical Intervals
Regional Anatomy
Osteology
Scapula (Fig. 2-1)
A broad flat bone that serves as an attachment for 17 muscles and 4 ligaments
The scapular spine is the superior aspect of the scapula
The coracoid is the anterior projection that serves as the origin for several muscles and ligaments
Humerus (Fig. 2-3)
The largest diaphyseal bone in the upper extremity
The hemispherical head is retroverted approximately 30 degrees
The anatomic neck is directly below the head
The surgical neck is approximately 2 cm distal to the anatomic neck
The greater tuberosity is the attachment for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor
The lesser tuberosity is the attachment for the subscapularis
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Arthrology
Glenohumeral Joint (Fig. 2-4)
This spheroidal (ball and socket) joint is designed for motion over stability
• Labrum—deepens the socket by 50% and provides a barrier against excessive translation
• Negative intraarticular pressure
• Capsule
• Glenohumeral ligaments (superior, middle, and inferior)
• The anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament is the most important
• Resists inferior translation
Muscles
Shoulder Muscle Groups (Fig. 2-6 and Table 2-1)
Connect the upper limb to the axial skeleton
• Trapezius, latissimus, rhomboid major and minor, and levator scapulae
Connect the upper limb to the thoracic wall
• Pectoralis major and minor, subclavius, and serratus anterior
• Deltoid, teres major and minor, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis
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Table 2-1
Muscles of the Shoulder
MUSCLE | ORIGIN | INSERTION | ACTION | INNERVATION |
Trapezius | Spinous process C7-T12 | Clavicle, scapula (acromion, spinous process) | Rotate scapula | Cranial nerve XI |
Lateral dorsi | Spinous process T6-S5, ilium | Humerus (ITG) | Extend, adduct, IR humerus | Thoracodorsal |
Rhomboideus major | Spinous process T2-T5 | Scapula (medial border) | Adduct scapula | Dorsal scapular |
Rhomboideus minor | Spinous process C7-T1 | Scapula (medial spine) | Adduct scapula | Dorsal scapular |
Levator scapulae | Transverse process C1-C4 | Scapula (superior medial) | Elevate, rotate scapula | C3, C4 |
Pectoralis major | Sternum, ribs, clavicle | Humerus (lateral ITG) | Adduct, IR arm | Mid and lower PN |
Pectoralis minor | Ribs 3-5 | Scapula (coracoid) | Protract scapula | MPN |
Subclavius | Rib 1 | Inferior clavicle | Depress clavicle | Upper trunk |
Serratus anterior | Ribs 1-9 | Scapula (ventral medial) | Prevent winging | Long thoracic |
Deltoid | Lateral clavicle, scapula | Humerus (deltoid tuberosity) | Abduct arm (2) | Axillary |
Teres major | Inferior scapula | Humerus (medial ITG) | Adduct, IR, extend | Lower subscapular |
Subscapularis | Ventral scapula | Humerus (lesser tuberosity) | IR arm, anterior stability | Upper and lower subscapular |
Supraspinatus | Superior scapula | Humerus (GT) | Abduct (1), ER arm stability | Suprascapular |
Infraspinatus | Dorsal scapula | Humerus (GT) | Stability, ER arm | Suprascapular |
Teres minor | Scapula (dorsolateral) | Humerus (GT) | Stability, ER arm | Axillary |
ER, External rotation; GT, greater tuberosity; IR, internal rotation; ITG, intertubercular groove; MPN, medial pectoral nerve; PN, pectoral nerve.
Arm Muscles (Fig. 2-6, D, and Table 2-2)
Table 2-2
Muscles of the Arm
MUSCLE | ORIGIN | INSERTION | ACTION | INNERVATION |
Coracobrachialis | Coracoid | Mid humerus medial | Flexion, adduction | Musculocutaneous |
Biceps | Coracoid (SH) | Radial tuberosity | Supination, flexion | Musculocutaneous |
Supraglenoid (LH) | ||||
Brachialis | Anterior humerus | Ulnar tuberosity (anterior) | Flexes forearm | Musculocutaneous, radial |
Triceps | Infraglenoid (LH) | Olecranon | Extends forearm | Radial |
Posterior humerus (LH) | ||||
Posterior humerus (MH) |
LH, Long head; MH, middle head; SH, short head.
Nerves
Brachial Plexus (Fig. 2-7)
Major Arm Branches (Fig. 2-8)
Musculocutaneous nerve (lateral cord)
• Runs from medial to central anteriorly
• Supplies the biceps (short head), coracobrachialis, and part of the brachialis
• Spirals behind the humerus from medial to lateral
• Supplies the triceps (all three heads) in the arm
Median nerve (medial and lateral cords)
• Runs just medial to the brachial artery in the medial arm
• No major branches in the arm
• Runs just lateral to the brachial artery in the medial arm
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Vascularity (Fig. 2-9)
Subclavian Artery
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Axillary Artery (Table 2-3)
Three divisions based on the relationship to the pectoralis minor (1, proximal; 2, deep; 3, distal; Table 2-3)
(1) Proximal: supreme thoracic
(2) Deep: thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic (deltoid, acromial, pectoralis, and clavicular)
(3) Distal: subscapular, anterior, and posterior humeral circumflex
Table 2-3
Axillary Artery Branches
PART | BRANCH | COURSE |
1 | Supreme thoracic | Medial to the serratus anterior and pectorals |
2 | Thoracoacromial | Four branches (deltoid, acromial, pectoralis, and clavicular) |
Lateral thoracic | Descends to the serratus anterior | |
3 | Subscapular | Two branches (thoracodorsal and circumflex scapular [triangular space]) |
Anterior humeral circumflex | Blood supply to the humeral head–arcuate artery lateral to the bicipital groove | |
Posterior humeral circumflex | Branch in the quadrangular space accompanying the axillary nerve |
Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Surgical Intervals
Radiologic Landmarks (Fig. 2-13, A and B)
Hazards
Shoulder (Fig. 2-14)
Nerves
Axillary Nerve
A branch of the posterior cord that supplies the deltoid and teres minor muscles
• Inferiorly as it transverses just below the glenohumeral joint
• Adduct and externally rotate the arm and stay directly on the neck of the glenoid with dissection
• Avoid retractor placement below the subscapularis and capsule
• Palpate the nerve with blunt dissection and use electrocautery without muscle relaxation
• Laterally with any incision or dissection 5 cm or more distal to the lateral acromion
• Place a marking suture at that location, and do not dissect below it
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