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Acromioclavicular joint
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The acromioclavicular joint, or AC joint, is a joint at the top of the shoulder. It is the junction between the acromion (part of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder) and the clavicle.
Ligaments
The joint is stabilized by three ligaments:
Superior Acromioclavicular Ligament
This ligament is a quadrilateral band, covering the superior part of the articulation, and extending between the upper part of the lateral end of the clavicle and the adjoining part of the upper surface of the acromion.
It is composed of parallel fibers, which interlace with the aponeuroses of the Trapezius and Deltoideus; below, it is in contact with the articular disk when this is present.
Inferior Acromioclavicular Ligament
This ligament is somewhat thinner than the preceding; it covers the under part of the articulation, and is attached to the adjoining surfaces of the two bones.
It is in relation, above, in rare cases with the articular disk; below, with the tendon of the Supraspinatus
The Coracoacromial Ligament is a strong triangular band, extending between the coracoid process and the acromion.
It is attached, by its apex, to the summit of the acromion just in front of the articular surface for the clavicle; and by its broad base to the whole length of the lateral border of the coracoid process.
This ligament, together with the coracoid process and the acromion, forms a vault for the protection of the head of the humerus.
It is in relation, above, with the clavicle and under surface of the Deltoideus; below, with the tendon of the Supraspinatus, a bursa being interposed.
Its lateral border is continuous with a dense lamina that passes beneath the Deltoideus upon the tendons of the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus.
The ligament is sometimes described as consisting of two marginal bands and a thinner intervening portion, the two bands being attached respectively to the apex and the base of the coracoid process, and joining together at the acromion.
When the Pectoralis minor is inserted, as occasionally is the case, into the capsule of the shoulder-joint instead of into the coracoid process, it passes between these two bands, and the intervening portion of the ligament is then deficient.
The Coracoclavicular Ligament serves to connect the clavicle with the coracoid process of the scapula.
It does not properly belong the acromioclavicular joint articulation, but is usually described with it, since it forms a most efficient means of retaining the clavicle in contact with the acromion.
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Encyclopedia
The acromioclavicular joint, or AC joint, is a joint at the top of the shoulder. It is the junction between the acromion (part of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder) and the clavicle.
Function
The AC joint allows the ability to raise the arm above the head. This joint functions as a pivot point (although technically it is a gliding synovial joint), acting like a strut to help with movement of the scapula resulting in a greater degree of arm rotation.
Ligaments
The joint is stabilized by three ligaments:
Superior Acromioclavicular Ligament
This ligament is a quadrilateral band, covering the superior part of the articulation, and extending between the upper part of the lateral end of the clavicle and the adjoining part of the upper surface of the acromion.
It is composed of parallel fibers, which interlace with the aponeuroses of the Trapezius and Deltoideus; below, it is in contact with the articular disk when this is present.
Inferior Acromioclavicular Ligament
This ligament is somewhat thinner than the preceding; it covers the under part of the articulation, and is attached to the adjoining surfaces of the two bones.
It is in relation, above, in rare cases with the articular disk; below, with the tendon of the Supraspinatus
The Coracoacromial Ligament is a strong triangular band, extending between the coracoid process and the acromion.
It is attached, by its apex, to the summit of the acromion just in front of the articular surface for the clavicle; and by its broad base to the whole length of the lateral border of the coracoid process.
This ligament, together with the coracoid process and the acromion, forms a vault for the protection of the head of the humerus.
It is in relation, above, with the clavicle and under surface of the Deltoideus; below, with the tendon of the Supraspinatus, a bursa being interposed.
Its lateral border is continuous with a dense lamina that passes beneath the Deltoideus upon the tendons of the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus.
The ligament is sometimes described as consisting of two marginal bands and a thinner intervening portion, the two bands being attached respectively to the apex and the base of the coracoid process, and joining together at the acromion.
When the Pectoralis minor is inserted, as occasionally is the case, into the capsule of the shoulder-joint instead of into the coracoid process, it passes between these two bands, and the intervening portion of the ligament is then deficient.
The Coracoclavicular Ligament serves to connect the clavicle with the coracoid process of the scapula.
It does not properly belong the acromioclavicular joint articulation, but is usually described with it, since it forms a most efficient means of retaining the clavicle in contact with the acromion. It consists of two fasciculi, called the trapezoid ligament and conoid ligament.
These ligaments are in relation, in front, with the Subclavius and Deltoideus; behind, with the Trapezius.
Injuries
A common injury to the AC joint is dislocation, often called AC separation or shoulder separation. This is not the same as a "shoulder dislocation," which refers to dislocation of the Glenohumeral joint.
AC dislocation is particularaly common in collision sports such as ice hockey, football, rugby and aussie rules, and is also a problem for those who participate in swimming, horseback riding, mountain biking, and biking. The most common mechanism of injury is a fall on the tip of the shoulder or FOOSH (Falls on an outstretched hand).
AC dislocations are also graded from I to VI. Grading is based upon the degree of separation of the acromion from the clavicle with weight applied to the arm. Grade I is a tear of the AC ligament. It has the normal separation of <4mm. Grade II is a complete dislocation of AC ligament with partial disruption of coracoclavicular ligament. The AC gap is >5mm. Grade III is complete disruption of AC and CC ligaments. On plain film the inferior aspect of the clavicle will be above the superior aspect of the acromion. The joint will be very tender and swollen on examination. Grades IV-VI are complications on a 'standard' dislocation involving a displacement of the clavical, and will almost always require surgery.
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