Shoulderblade Health Dictionary

The joint that lies between the outer end of the clavicle (collarbone) and the acromion (the bony prominence at the top of the scapula (shoulderblade).... acromioclavicular joint

A bony prominence at the top of the scapula (shoulderblade). The acromion articulates with the end of the clavicle (collarbone) to form the acromioclavicular joint.... acromion

Pain in the chest due to insufficient oxygen being carried to the heart muscle in the blood.

Inadequate blood supply to the heart is usually due to coronary artery disease. Other causes include coronary artery spasm, in which the blood vessels narrow suddenly for a short time, aortic stenosis, in which the aortic valve in the heart is narrowed, and arrhythmias. If the pain of angina pectoris continues, it may be due to myocardial infarction. Rare causes include severe anaemia and polycythaemia, which thickens the blood, causing its flow through the heart muscle to slow.

The pain usually starts in the centre of the chest but can spread to the throat, upper jaw, back, and arms (usually the left one) or between the shoulderblades. The pain usually comes on when the heart is working harder and requires more oxygen, for example during exercise. Angina developing during sleep or without provocation is known as unstable angina. Other symptoms may include nausea, sweating, dizziness, and breathing difficulty.

Diagnostic tests usually include an ECG, which may register normal between attacks, and a cardiac stress test. Blood tests and coronary angiography may also be performed.

To help control the symptoms, it is important to stop smoking and to lose weight if necessary. Attacks of angina pectoris may be prevented and treated by nitrate drugs. However, if nitrates are not effective or are causing side effects, beta-blocker drugs or calcium channel blockers may be used.

Drug treatment can control the symptoms for many years.

If attacks become more severe or more frequent, despite treatment, coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty may be necessary.... angina pectoris

Techniques for providing pictures that show the structure or function of bones. X-ray images are the most commonly used technique for diagnosing fractures and injuries. More detailed information is provided by tomography, CT scanning, or MRI, which can show tumours

cavities; it may be red or yellow. Red bone marrow is present in all bones at birth and is the factory for most of the blood cells. During the teens, red bone marrow is gradually replaced in some bones by less active yellow marrow. In adults, red marrow is confined chiefly to the spine, sternum, (breastbone), ribs, pelvis (hip-bones), scapulae (shoulderblades), clavicles (collarbones), and bones of the skull.

Stem cells within the red marrow are stimulated to form blood cells by the hormone erythropoietin.

Yellow marrow is composed mainly of connective tissue and fat.

If the body needs to increase its rate of blood formation, some of the yellow marrow will be replaced by red.

Sometimes marrow fails to produce sufficient numbers of normal blood cells, as occurs in aplastic anaemia (see anaemia, aplastic) or when marrow has been displaced by tumour cells.

In other cases, marrow may overproduce certain blood cells, as occurs in polycythaemia and leukaemia.... bone imaging

A special type of fat, found in infants and some animals.

Brown fat is located between and around the scapulae (shoulderblades) on the back.

It is a source of energy and helps infants to maintain a constant body temperature.... brown fat

The collarbone. The 2 clavicles, 1 on each side, form joints with the top of the sternum (breastbone) and the scapula (shoulderblade). The clavicles support the arms and transmit forces from the arms to the central skeleton.... clavicle

The triangular muscle of the shoulder region that forms the rounded flesh of the outer part of the upper arm, and passes up and over the shoulder joint. The wide end of the muscle is attached to the shoulderblade and the collarbone. The muscle fibres meet to form the apex of the triangle, which is attached to the humerus (upper-arm bone) halfway down its length. The central, strongest part of the muscle raises the arm sideways. The front and back parts of the muscle twist the arm.... deltoid

A poorly understood disorder causing generalized aching and stiffness of the muscles of the trunk, hips, and shoulders. Parts of the affected muscles (known as trigger points) are tender to the touch; common tender sites are the base of the skull and the muscles near the shoulderblades. Fibromyalgia commonly develops during periods of stress and may follow a chronic course. Treatment may consist of heat, massage, and drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, sometimes, antidepressant drugs, which may relieve the symptoms.... fibromyalgia

One of a pair of wing-shaped bones, commonly called the shoulderblades, which are situated over the upper ribs at the back. The scapulaserves as an attachment for certain muscles and tendons of the arm, neck, chest, and back and is involved with movements of the arm and shoulder.... scapula

A large, diamondshaped muscle extending from the back of the skull to the lower part of the spine in the chest and across the width of the shoulders.

It is attached to the top and back of the shoulderblade and to the outermost part of the collarbone.

The trapezius helps support the neck and spine and is involved in moving the arm.... trapezius muscle

The muscle at the back of the upper arm. At the upper end of the triceps are 3 “heads”; 1 is attached to the outer edge of the scapula (shoulderblade), and the other 2 to either side of the humerus (upper-arm bone). The lower part of the triceps is attached to the olecranon process of the ulna (the bony prominence on the elbow). Contraction of the muscle straightens the arm. (See also biceps muscle.)... triceps muscle