Function Of The Shoulder

Understanding The Anatomy And Function Of The Shoulder

Shoulder FunctionDid you ever stop to think just how much we depend on our shoulders? The shoulders help us to position, rotate and move our arms, on which our hands are dependent upon, and if anything should happen to them, we would find ourselves unable to do even the most basic things for ourselves. The anatomy and function of the shoulder is a medical miracle of itself, and the more we understand how it works, the more we can do to prevent injuries or other maladies from occurring.

The anatomy and function of the shoulder is a wonder to behold. If you want to learn more about it, you can do so at Lakeland Spine Center. Our caring staff is more than ready to answer any questions you might have, so call us today for an appointment for assessment and consultation.

The Basic Framework

The shoulder is the second ball-and-socket joint in the human body, and is second in importance when it comes to movement. The first, of course, is the hips, the ball-and-socket joints that provide not only movement, but also stability while moving about. The anatomy and function of the shoulder joints help us to move our arms about, guide their positioning, and control the rotation of those arms throughout their movement. It does this through the ball end of the humerus bone, which is found in the upper arms, fitting into the socket provided by the scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder blade. Muscles and tendons attached to these bones flex during movement, pulling the arms into position, and act as leverage for lifting and pulling motions.

The deltoid muscles supply the power to move this joint system, and the rotation and range of movement is supplied in part by a grouping of four muscles known as the rotator cuff. This is made up of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and the teres minor muscles. Should any of these muscles or the ligaments that attach them to the bones become torn or detached, movement of the arms will become severely limited, if they function at all after injury. Athletes as well as those who repeatedly use their shoulders to complete work assignments, such as individuals who load vehicles risk injuring these muscle groups through repetitive motion.

Major Ailments Specific to the Shoulder

Some people are born with much looser joints as compared to others. This can lead to involuntary or voluntary dislocation of those joints, a hallmark of a condition known as being double-jointed. While this condition is rare, it can lead to early onset arthritis and a loss of motion in those joints over time.

The rotator cuff is the workhorse of the shoulder, and the area most likely to be damaged through repetitive motion. If the ligaments or tendons become torn, or muscles become detached, the range of motion for the arm becomes limited, and its strength decreased. Most often, the only cure when this happens is surgery, and even so, the anatomy and function of the shoulder is forever changed.

Function Of The Shoulder

Understanding The Anatomy And Function Of The Shoulder

Shoulder FunctionDid you ever stop to think just how much we depend on our shoulders? The shoulders help us to position, rotate and move our arms, on which our hands are dependent upon, and if anything should happen to them, we would find ourselves unable to do even the most basic things for ourselves. The anatomy and function of the shoulder is a medical miracle of itself, and the more we understand how it works, the more we can do to prevent injuries or other maladies from occurring.

The anatomy and function of the shoulder is a wonder to behold. If you want to learn more about it, you can do so at Lakeland Spine Center. Our caring staff is more than ready to answer any questions you might have, so call us today for an appointment for assessment and consultation.

The Basic Framework

The shoulder is the second ball-and-socket joint in the human body, and is second in importance when it comes to movement. The first, of course, is the hips, the ball-and-socket joints that provide not only movement, but also stability while moving about. The anatomy and function of the shoulder joints help us to move our arms about, guide their positioning, and control the rotation of those arms throughout their movement. It does this through the ball end of the humerus bone, which is found in the upper arms, fitting into the socket provided by the scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder blade. Muscles and tendons attached to these bones flex during movement, pulling the arms into position, and act as leverage for lifting and pulling motions.

The deltoid muscles supply the power to move this joint system, and the rotation and range of movement is supplied in part by a grouping of four muscles known as the rotator cuff. This is made up of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and the teres minor muscles. Should any of these muscles or the ligaments that attach them to the bones become torn or detached, movement of the arms will become severely limited, if they function at all after injury. Athletes as well as those who repeatedly use their shoulders to complete work assignments, such as individuals who load vehicles risk injuring these muscle groups through repetitive motion.

Major Ailments Specific to the Shoulder

Some people are born with much looser joints as compared to others. This can lead to involuntary or voluntary dislocation of those joints, a hallmark of a condition known as being double-jointed. While this condition is rare, it can lead to early onset arthritis and a loss of motion in those joints over time.

The rotator cuff is the workhorse of the shoulder, and the area most likely to be damaged through repetitive motion. If the ligaments or tendons become torn, or muscles become detached, the range of motion for the arm becomes limited, and its strength decreased. Most often, the only cure when this happens is surgery, and even so, the anatomy and function of the shoulder is forever changed.