Clavicle

General

Anatomy of the clavicle

Clavicle curves. A. Proximal. B. Distal. 1. Great medial curve. 2. Lesser lateral curve.

Illustration of muscle attachments of the clavicle

Description

• The clavicle is often referred to as the "collar bone"
• Etymology: clavicula meaning "tendril, small key, rod, bolt"
• It extends between the manubrium (sternum) medially and the acromion of the scapula laterally
• The clavicle is "S" or sigmoid shaped
• It is the only long bone of the body that lays horizontally

Sternal/ Medial End

• Large facet articulates with the Manubrium to form the Sternoclavicular Joint
• Small depression exists to host the sternoclavicular ligament

Shaft

• Muscle attachments:
  • Deltoid
  • Trapezius
  • Subclavius
  • Pectoralis major
  • Sternocleidomastoid
  • Sternohyoid

Acromial/ Lateral end

• Small facet to articulate with the Acromion and form the acromioclavicular joint
• Conoid tubercle: attachment point of the conoid ligament (medial part of the coracoclavicular ligament)
• Trapezoid line: attachment point of the trapezoid ligament (lateral part of the coracoclavicular ligament)

Actions

• Attaches the upper limb to the trunk as part of the Shoulder Girdle
• Protects the underlying neurovascular structures supplying the upper limb.
• Transmits force from the upper limb to the axial skeleton

Vascular Supply

• Suprascapular Artery
• Thoracoacromial Artery
• Internal thoracic (mammalian) Artery

Innervation

• Branches of
  • Subclavian Nerve
  • Lateral Pectoral Nerve
  • Supraclavicular Nerve
• Sternoclavicular Joint
  • Medial Supraclavicular nerve (C3-C4)
  • Subclavius Nerve (C5-C6)

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Clinical Significance

• Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation
• Clavicle Fracture
• Acromioclavicular Joint Arthritis
• Acromioclavicular Joint Separation

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See Also

• Shoulder Pain Main
• Shoulder Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Shoulder

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