Clavicle
(Redirected from Clavicles)
The clavicle, commonly referred to as the collarbone, is a slender, S-shaped bone located in the upper thoracic region and plays a crucial role in the skeletal and muscular anatomy of the shoulder.
Anatomy and Structure[edit | edit source]
The clavicle is a bilateral bone, meaning that there are two clavicles in the human body, one on each side. It connects the sternum (breastbone) medially to the acromion, a part of the scapula (shoulder blade), laterally. This bone has three primary parts:
- Medial end or sternal end: Articulates with the manubrium of the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint.
- Lateral end or acromial end: Connects with the acromion of the scapula at the acromioclavicular joint.
- Shaft: The elongated body of the clavicle, which has a gentle S-shape.
Function[edit | edit source]
The clavicle serves multiple vital functions in the human body:
- Support: It provides anterior support for the shoulder, maintaining its lateral position.
- Protection: It acts as a protective barrier for vital nerves and blood vessels that pass underneath it, including the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels.
- Muscular attachment: Several muscles, including the deltoid and the trapezius, attach to the clavicle, facilitating various arm movements.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Due to its subcutaneous location (just beneath the skin), the clavicle is vulnerable to injuries. Some key clinical considerations include:
- Fractures: Clavicle fractures are common, especially from falls onto an outstretched arm or direct impacts to the shoulder.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear can lead to arthritis in the acromioclavicular or sternoclavicular joints.
- Congenital anomalies: Rarely, individuals might be born with clavicular anomalies like a missing or abnormally shaped clavicle.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: Compression of the neurovascular structures beneath the clavicle can lead to this syndrome, causing pain and weakness in the arm.
Associated Structures[edit | edit source]
- Scapula: The shoulder blade with which the clavicle articulates laterally.
- Sternum: The central chest bone connected to the medial end of the clavicle.
- Acromioclavicular joint: The joint where the clavicle meets the shoulder blade.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Clavicle Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD