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Bones. The collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the upper arm bone (humerus).
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Joints. Facilitate movement, including the following:
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Sternoclavicular joint (where the clavicle meets the sternum)
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Acromioclavicular (AC) joint (where the clavicle meets the acromion)
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Shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint). A ball-and-socket joint that facilitates forward, circular, and backward movement of the shoulder.
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Ligaments. A white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that holds joints together and connects various bones, including the following:
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Joint capsule. A group of ligaments that connect the humerus to the socket of the shoulder joint on the scapula to stabilize the shoulder and keep it from dislocating.
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Ligaments that attach the clavicle to the acromion
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Ligaments that connect the clavicle to the scapula by attaching to the coracoid process
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Acromion. The roof (highest point) of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula.
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Tendons. The tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. The rotator cuff tendons are a group of tendons that connect the deepest layer of muscles to the humerus.
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Muscles. Help support and rotate the shoulder in many directions.
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Bursa. A closed space between two moving surfaces that has a small amount of lubricating fluid inside; located between the rotator cuff muscle layer and the outer layer of large, bulky muscles.
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Rotator cuff. Composed of tendons, the rotator cuff (and associated muscles) holds the ball of the glenohumeral joint at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).
