Shoulder

The glenohumeral joint is a synovial ball-and-socket joint with the most extensive range of motion in the body.

Articular surfaces

• Head of humerus – hemispherical
  • The portion of the humeral head which articulates with the scapular glenoid is intracapsular; and the small region without overlying hyaline cartilage, inside the joint capsule and lateral to the hyaline cartilage, is known as the bare area
• Glenoid cavity (fossa)
• Glenoid labrum – peripherally surrounds and reinforces the glenoid cavity

Arterial Supply

• Originates from the subclavian cavity

Venous drainage

• Anterior and posterior circumflex humeral veins
• Tributary of the axillary vein

Nerve supply

• Axillary nerve
• Subscapular nerve
• Suprascapular nerve

Lymphatics

Lymph drains into axillary nodes and subclavian trunk

Normal Variants

• Buford complex – relative deficiency of anterior labrum, associated with cord-like middle glenohumeral ligament
• Sublabral foramen
• Long head of biceps inserts into osseous glenoid, above glenoid labrum
• Long head of biceps inserts into the superior surface of glenoid labrum
• Long head of biceps inserts into labrum and produces meniscoid insertion