I cannot provide you with a picture or image of a shoulder joint, as I am a text-based AI assistant without the capability to generate, display, or retrieve visual content.
What I Can Describe About Shoulder Joint Anatomy
The shoulder joint is the most unstable joint in the body, consisting of a complex ball-and-socket articulation between the humeral head and the glenoid cavity of the scapula. 1
Key Anatomical Components
Bony Structures:
- The glenohumeral joint is formed by the humeral head articulating with the shallow glenoid cavity 2
- The acromioclavicular joint connects the clavicle to the acromion process of the scapula 1, 3
- The scapula includes the coracoid process, acromion, and glenoid 4
Soft Tissue Structures:
- Rotator cuff: Composed of four tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) that stabilize and move the shoulder 2, 5, 4
- Glenoid labrum: A fibrocartilaginous rim that deepens the glenoid socket and provides stability 2, 4
- Glenohumeral ligaments: Located in the ventral capsule, providing anterior stability 4
- Long head of biceps tendon: Runs through the joint and attaches to the superior labrum 1, 2
- Joint capsule: Surrounds the entire joint 2
How to Visualize the Shoulder Joint
For educational or diagnostic purposes, you can obtain shoulder joint images through:
- Standard radiographs (X-rays) with AP, Grashey, and axillary views as the initial imaging modality 3, 6
- MRI without contrast for detailed soft tissue visualization of rotator cuff, labrum, and capsular structures 1, 3
- MR arthrography for superior visualization of labral and capsular structures, particularly in patients under 35 years 1
- Ultrasound for dynamic assessment of rotator cuff tendons and biceps tendon 1
Common pitfall: The shoulder's complexity means that multiple articulations and structures can be sources of pathology, requiring systematic evaluation of all components rather than focusing on a single structure. 7, 5