Shoulder Anatomy

Bones - the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm bone (humerus)

Joints - facilitate movement, including the clavicle, the acromioclavicular (AC) joint (where the clavicle meets the acromion), and shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) - a ball-and-socket joint that facilitates forward, circular and backward movement of the shoulder

Ligaments - a white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that binds joints together and connects various bones and cartilage, including the 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), ligaments that attach the clavicle to the acromion, and ligaments that connect the clavicle to the scapula by attaching to the coracoid process

Acromion - the roof (highest point) of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula

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

Muscles - to help support and rotate the shoulder in many directions

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

Rotator - 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)