Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

40 • Massage Therapy Journal

Glenohumeral Joint Ligaments

Name

Location

Function

Superior glenohumeral ligament Middle glenohumeral ligament Inferior glenohumeral ligament

Attaches the glenoid fossa to the anatomical neck of the humerus.

Restricts lateral rotation and inferior translation of the humeral head.

Attaches the glenoid fossa to the anatomical neck of the humerus.

Restricts lateral rotation and superior translation of the humeral head.

Attaches from the inferior, middle and anterior glenoid fossa to the medial aspect of the anatomical neck of the humerus. Runs lateral from the coracoid process to the humerus, covering the superior glenohumeral ligament and merging with the superior joint capsule and supraspinatus tendon.

Restricts lateral rotation and superior and anterior translation of the humeral head and medial rotation and anterior translation. Anterior aspect restricts extension while the posterior aspect restricts flexion. Both aspects restrict inferior and posterior translation of the humeral head. It also helps to maintain the weight of the arm against gravity. Maintains the stability of the tendon of the long head of the biceps in the intertubercular groove. critical for the appropriate function of the entire shoulder complex. The scapula is mainly held in place by muscles. The only ligamentous attachments are at the acromioclavicular joint. The muscles that move the scapulothoracic joint are sometimes called the scapular stabilizers. These muscles include the trapezius, serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, rhomboids and levator scapula. The coordinated action of these muscles creates controlled movement of the scapulothoracic joint during various shoulder movements. Proper function of this joint is vital for normal shoulder movement. 7,8

Coracohumeral ligament

Transverse humeral ligament

Spans between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus.

Range of motion

Joint

Movement

Flexion (only glenohumeral joint) Flexion (with scapulothoracic joint) Extension (only glenohumeral joint) Extension (with scapulothoracic joint) Adduction (only glenohumeral joint) Adduction (with scapulothoracic joint) Abduction (only glenohumeral joint) Abduction (with scapulothoracic joint)

0-110º 0-180°

0-60º 0-90º 0-25º 0-30º

Glenohumeral

0-120º 0-180º

Lateral rotation Medial rotation

0-90º 0-90º 0-30º

Range of motion

Horizontal abduction Horizontal adduction

Joint

Movement

0-135º

Elevation

0-40º 0-10° 0-15º 0-20º

Scapulothoracic Joint: Structure and Function

Depression Adduction Abduction

The scapulothoracic joint is not a “true” joint in the conventional sense with bony articulations or a joint capsule. Instead, it refers to the connection between the scapula and the thorax in functional movement. The movement of the scapula on the thorax is

Scapulothoracic

Upward rotation

0-60º

Downward rotation

0-30º

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