Clavicle
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long, S-shaped bone in the shoulder girdle that connects the upper limb to the trunk.
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long, S-shaped bone that connects the arm to the trunk as part of the shoulder girdle. It lies horizontally at the front of the shoulder and helps support shoulder position and transmit force.
What is the clavicle?
The clavicle is a slender, doubly curved long bone with a medial sternal end and a lateral acromial end. It is the only long bone in the human body that lies horizontally. It spans from the manubrium of the sternum to the acromion of the scapula.
What does it do?
The clavicle acts as a strut that holds the shoulder girdle away from the trunk, improving arm mobility and transferring forces from the upper limb to the axial skeleton. It forms the sternoclavicular joint medially and the acromioclavicular joint laterally, contributing to shoulder stability.
Why is it clinically important?
Because it is superficial and commonly exposed to force, the clavicle is a frequent site of fracture. Its shape and position make it important in shoulder injuries and imaging interpretation. Clavicle fractures are common in Canadian sports medicine and physiotherapy.
In short
- Only long bone that lies horizontally in the human skeleton.
- Connects arm to trunk via sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints.
- Acts as a strut to hold shoulder away from chest wall.
- Frequent fracture site due to its superficial location.
Relevant to Canadian anatomy, health, physiotherapy, and sports medicine education; clavicle fractures and shoulder injuries are common clinical topics in Canadian healthcare.
Quick questions
What is the clavicle?
How many clavicles does a person have?
What joints does the clavicle form?
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic — https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/16877-clavicleSupports: Basic anatomy, location, function, and equivalence of clavicle and collarbone.
- TeachMeAnatomy — https://teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/bones/clavicle/Supports: Shape, functions, parts, and shoulder-girdle role of the clavicle.
- Radiopaedia — https://radiopaedia.org/articles/clavicle?lang=usSupports: The clavicle as the only long bone lying horizontally and connecting pectoral girdle to axial skeleton.
- StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525990/Supports: Anatomical description, function, and relationship to axial and appendicular skeleton.
- Elsevier Complete Anatomy — https://www.elsevier.com/resources/anatomy/skeletal-system/appendicular-skeleton/clavicle/22586Supports: Clavicle as part of the pectoral girdle and a long bone.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/science/clavicleSupports: Definition of clavicle as a curved shoulder-girdle bone that functions as a strut.