Shoulder girdle Health Dictionary

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Shoulder Girdle: From 1 Different Sources

(pectoral girdle) the bony structure to which the bones of the upper limbs are attached. It consists of the right and left *scapulas (shoulder blades) and clavicles (collar bones).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Frozen Shoulder

A painful condition of the shoulder accompanied by sti?ness and considerable limitation of movement. The usual age-incidence is between 50 and 70. The cause is in?ammation and contracture of the ligaments and muscles of the shoulder joint, probably due to overuse. Treatment is physiotherapy and local steroid infections. There is practically always complete recovery, even though this may take 12–18 months.... frozen shoulder

Shoulder

The joint formed by the upper end of the HUMERUS and the shoulder-blade or SCAPULA. The acromion process of the scapula and the outer end of the collar-bone (see CLAVICLE) form a protective bony arch above the joint, and from this arch the wide and thick deltoid muscle passes downwards, protecting the outer surface of the joint and giving to the shoulder its rounded character. The joint itself is of the ball-and-socket variety, the rounded head of the humerus being received into the hollow glenoid cavity of the scapula, which is further deepened by a rim of cartilage. One tendon of the biceps muscle passes through the joint, grooving the humerus deeply, and being attached to the upper edge of the glenoid cavity. The joint is surrounded by a loose ?brous capsule, strengthened at certain places by ligamentous bands. The main strength of the joint comes from the powerful muscles that unite the upper arm with the scapula, clavicle and ribs.

Shoulder-blade or scapula. A ?at bone, about as large as the ?at hand and ?ngers, placed on the upper and back part of the With the arm hanging by the side, the scapula extends from the second to the seventh rib, but, as the arm is raised and lowered, it slides freely over the back of the chest. On the rear surface of the bone is a strong process, the spine of the scapula. This arches upwards and forwards into the acromion process. The latter forms the bony prominence on the top of the shoulder, where it unites in a joint with the outer end of the clavicle.... shoulder

Shoulder, Dislocation Of

Displacement of the head of the humerus out of the shoulder joint. The main symptom is pain in the shoulder and upper arm, made worse by movement. A forward dislocation often produces obvious deformity; a backward dislocation usually does not.

Diagnosis is by X-rays. The head of the humerus is repositioned in the joint socket. The shoulder is then immobilized in a sling for about 3 weeks.

Complications of shoulder dislocation include damage to nerves, causing temporary weakness and numbness in the shoulder; damage to an artery in the upper arm, causing pain and discoloration of the arm and hand; and damage to muscles that support the shoulder.... shoulder, dislocation of

Shoulder–hand Syndrome

Pain and stiffness affecting one shoulder and the hand on the same side; the hand may also become hot, sweaty, and swollen. Arm muscles may waste through lack of use (see Sudeck’s atrophy). The cause of shoulder–hand syndrome is unknown, but it may occur as a complication of myocardial infarction, stroke, herpes zoster, or shoulder injury. Recovery usually occurs in about 2 years. This period may be shortened by physiotherapy and corticosteroid drugs. In rare cases, a cervical sympathectomy is performed.... shoulder–hand syndrome

Girdle

n. (in anatomy) an encircling or arching arrangement of bones. see also pelvic girdle; shoulder girdle.... girdle

Hip Girdle

see pelvic girdle.... hip girdle

Pectoral Girdle

see shoulder girdle.... pectoral girdle

Pelvic Girdle

(hip girdle) the bony structure to which the bones of the lower limbs are attached. It consists of the right and left *hip bones.... pelvic girdle

Shoulder Dystocia

a difficult birth (see dystocia) in which the anterior or, less commonly, the posterior fetal shoulder impacts on the maternal symphysis or sacral promontory. It is an obstetric emergency and is diagnosed when the shoulders fail to deliver after the fetal head and when gentle downward traction has failed. Additional obstetric manoeuvres (e.g. *McRobert’s manoeuvre) are required to release the shoulders from below the pubic symphysis. It occurs in approximately 1% of vaginal births. There are well-recognized risk factors, such as maternal diabetes and obesity and fetal *macrosomia. There can be a high *perinatal mortality rate and morbidity associated with the condition; the most common fetal injuries are to the brachial plexus, causing an *Erb’s palsy or *Klumpke’s paralysis. Maternal morbidity is also increased, particularly *postpartum haemorrhage.... shoulder dystocia

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