Suprasternal notch
soft spot in the midline of the body, just superior to the sternum
Sternum
breastbone" located along the midline of the chest
Sternoclavicular joint
slide fingers medially along shaft of clavicle, just lateral to body's centerline, the shaft will broaden to become the bulbous sternal end, the joint is medial off the sternal end;
Clavicle
or collar bone is superficial and runs horizontally along the top of the chest at the base of the neck
Sternal extremity of the clavicle
the bump found at the junction between the sternum and the clavicle
Acromial extremity of the clavicle
the bump found when moving fingers laterally over the convex and concave curves of the clavicle; just lateral to the bump is a small cleft that is palpatable
Acromioclavicular joint
the small articulation between the acromion of the scapula and the acromial end of the clavicle; the anterior and superior surfaces of this thin crevice can be palpated directly
Coracoid process
the beak-like projection found inferior to the shaft of the clavicle; often found in the deltopectoral groove between the deltoid and pectorals major fibers; may be tender during palpation
Acromion process
from acromioclavicular joint, slide hands laterally over a bony ledge of the scapula (to right of right scapula/vice versa) process is near end
Spine of the scapula
a superficial ridge located just off the top of the shoulder; runs at an oblique angle to the body, spanning from the acromion to the medial border; is an attachment site for the posterior deltoid and middle and lower fibers of the trapezius
Medial or Vertebral border
long edge of the scapula that runs parallel to the vertebral column; about 5 to 7 inches in length (depending on body); attachemnt site for the rhomboids and serattus anterior and is deep to the trapezius
Superior angle
palpate superiorly up the medial border of the scapula to the superior angle of the scapula; may be difficult to palpate since it curves anteriorly and is overlain by the levator scapula muscle
Lateral or Axillary border
extends superiorly and laterally from the inferior angle toward the axilla or "armpit"; attachement site for the teres major and teres minor muscles; definition may be less than medial border
greater tuberosity of the humerus
move hands on acromion laterally until you fall off of acromion and feel another large bumpd directly in the midline of the lateral aspect of the should to find greater tuberosity of humerus
Bicipital groove
externally, or laterally, rotate the arm and palpate anterior to the greater tuberosity until you find the groove
Lesser tuberosity of the humerus
from the bicipital groove palpate anteriorly and you will feel the small bump that is the lesser tuberosity of the humerus
Deltoid tuberosity
located on the lateral side of the mid-humearl shaft; a small, low bump that serves as an attachment site for the converging fibers of the deltoid muscle
Glenohumeral joint
articulation between the humerus and the scapula, is not palpable
Inferior angle
palpate inferiorly down the medial border of the scapula to its inferior angle