02/03/2024
1. Clavicle (First Year MBBS - Upper Limb)
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The clavicle is a slender bone with an ‘S’ shape. Facing forward, the medial aspect is convex, and the lateral aspect concave. It can be divided into a sternal end, a shaft and an acromial end.
Sternal (medial) End
The sternal end contains a large facet – for articulation with the manubrium of the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint.
The inferior surface of the sternal end is marked by a rough oval depression for the costoclavicular ligament (a ligament of the SC joint).
Shaft
The shaft of the clavicle acts a point of origin and attachment for several muscles – deltoid, trapezius, subclavius, pectoralis major, sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid
Acromial (lateral) End
The acromial end houses a small facet for articulation with the acromion of the scapula at the acromioclavicular joint. It also serves as an attachment point for two ligaments:
Conoid tubercle – attachment point of the conoid ligament, the medial part of the coracoclavicular ligament.
Trapezoid line – attachment point of the trapezoid ligament, the lateral part of the coracoclavicular ligament.
The coracoclavicular ligament is a very strong structure, effectively suspending the weight of the upper limb from the clavicle.
