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The coracoid process
Process (anatomy)

In anatomy, a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body....
 is a small hook-like structure on the lateral edge of the superior anterior portion of the scapula
Scapula

In anatomy, the scapula, omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle .The scapula forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle....
. Pointing laterally forward, it, together with the acromion, serves to stabilize the shoulder joint
Glenohumeral joint

The glenohumeral joint, commonly known as the shoulder joint, is a multiaxial synovial joint ball and socket joint and involves articulation between the glenoid cavity of the scapula and the head of the humerus ....
. It is palpable
Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart....
 in the deltopectoral groove
Deltopectoral groove

The deltopectoral groove is an indentation in the muscular structure between the deltoid muscle and pectoralis major.It is the location through which the cephalic vein passes and where the coracoid process is most easily palpable....
 between the deltoid
Deltoid muscle

In human anatomy, the deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the shoulder.It was previously called the Deltoideus and the name is still used by some anatomists....
 and pectoralis major muscle
Pectoralis major muscle

The Pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped muscle, situated at the upper front of the chest wall. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles in the male and lies under the breast in the female....
s.

s the site of attachment for several structures:

coracoid process is a thick curved process attached by a broad base to the upper part of the neck of the scapula; it runs at first upward and medialward; then, becoming smaller, it changes its direction, and projects forward and lateralward.

The ascending portion, flattened from before backward, presents in front a smooth concave surface, across which the Subscapularis passes.

The horizontal portion is flattened from above downward; its upper surface is convex and irregular, and gives attachment to the Pectoralis minor; its under surface is smooth; its medial and lateral borders are rough; the former gives attachment to the Pectoralis minor and the latter to the coracoacromial ligament
Coracoacromial ligament

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....
; the apex is embraced by the conjoined tendon of origin of the Coracobrachialis and short head of the Biceps brachii and gives attachment to the coracoclavicular fascia.

On the medial part of the root of the coracoid process is a rough impression for the attachment of the conoid ligament; and running from it obliquely forward and lateralward, on to the upper surface of the horizontal portion, is an elevated ridge for the attachment of the trapezoid ligament
Trapezoid ligament

The trapezoid ligament, the anterior and lateral fasciculus, is broad, thin, and quadrilateral: it is placed obliquely between the coracoid process and the clavicle....
.

coracoid process is palpable just below the lateral end of the clavicle (collar bone).






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The coracoid process
Process (anatomy)

In anatomy, a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body....
 is a small hook-like structure on the lateral edge of the superior anterior portion of the scapula
Scapula

In anatomy, the scapula, omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle .The scapula forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle....
. Pointing laterally forward, it, together with the acromion, serves to stabilize the shoulder joint
Glenohumeral joint

The glenohumeral joint, commonly known as the shoulder joint, is a multiaxial synovial joint ball and socket joint and involves articulation between the glenoid cavity of the scapula and the head of the humerus ....
. It is palpable
Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. Palpation should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart....
 in the deltopectoral groove
Deltopectoral groove

The deltopectoral groove is an indentation in the muscular structure between the deltoid muscle and pectoralis major.It is the location through which the cephalic vein passes and where the coracoid process is most easily palpable....
 between the deltoid
Deltoid muscle

In human anatomy, the deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the shoulder.It was previously called the Deltoideus and the name is still used by some anatomists....
 and pectoralis major muscle
Pectoralis major muscle

The Pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped muscle, situated at the upper front of the chest wall. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles in the male and lies under the breast in the female....
s.

Attachments

It is the site of attachment for several structures:
  • The pectoralis minor muscle
    Pectoralis minor muscle

    The Pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle, situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the Pectoralis major....
     - to 3rd to 5th ribs.
  • The short head of biceps brachii muscle
    Biceps brachii muscle

    In human anatomy, the biceps brachii is a muscle located on the upper arm. The biceps has several functions, the most important being to rotate the forearm and to flex the elbow....
     - to Radial tuberosity
    Radial tuberosity

    Beneath the neck of the radius , on the medial side, is an eminence, the radial tuberosity; its surface is divided into:* a posterior, rough portion, for the insertion of the tendon of the biceps brachii....
    .
  • The coracobrachialis muscle
    Coracobrachialis muscle

    The Coracobrachialis is the smallest of the three muscles that attach to the coracoid process of the scapula. It is situated at the upper and medial part of the arm....
     - to medial humerus
    Humerus

    The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.Anatomically, it connects the scapula and the ulna, and consists of the following three sections:...
    .
  • The coracoclavicular ligament
    Coracoclavicular ligament

    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....
     - to the clavicle
    Clavicle

    In human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is classified as a flat bone that makes up part of the shoulder girdle . It receives its name from the Latin clavicula because the bone rotates along its axis like a key when the shoulder is Abduction ....
    . (It is formed by the conoid ligament
    Conoid ligament

    The Conoid Ligament, the posterior and medial fasciculus, is a dense band of fibers, conical in form, with its base directed upward.It is attached by its apex to a rough impression at the base of the coracoid process, medial to the trapezoid ligament; above, by its expanded base, to the coracoid tuberosity on the under surface of the clavic...
     and trapezoid ligament
    Trapezoid ligament

    The trapezoid ligament, the anterior and lateral fasciculus, is broad, thin, and quadrilateral: it is placed obliquely between the coracoid process and the clavicle....
    .)
  • The coracoacromial ligament
    Coracoacromial ligament

    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....
     - to the acromion


Structure

The coracoid process is a thick curved process attached by a broad base to the upper part of the neck of the scapula; it runs at first upward and medialward; then, becoming smaller, it changes its direction, and projects forward and lateralward.

The ascending portion, flattened from before backward, presents in front a smooth concave surface, across which the Subscapularis passes.

The horizontal portion is flattened from above downward; its upper surface is convex and irregular, and gives attachment to the Pectoralis minor; its under surface is smooth; its medial and lateral borders are rough; the former gives attachment to the Pectoralis minor and the latter to the coracoacromial ligament
Coracoacromial ligament

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....
; the apex is embraced by the conjoined tendon of origin of the Coracobrachialis and short head of the Biceps brachii and gives attachment to the coracoclavicular fascia.

On the medial part of the root of the coracoid process is a rough impression for the attachment of the conoid ligament; and running from it obliquely forward and lateralward, on to the upper surface of the horizontal portion, is an elevated ridge for the attachment of the trapezoid ligament
Trapezoid ligament

The trapezoid ligament, the anterior and lateral fasciculus, is broad, thin, and quadrilateral: it is placed obliquely between the coracoid process and the clavicle....
.

Clinical relevance

The coracoid process is palpable just below the lateral end of the clavicle (collar bone). It is otherwise known as the "Surgeon's Lighthouse" because it serves as a landmark to avoid neurovascular damage. Major neurovascular structures enter the upper limb medial to the coracoid process so surgical approaches to the shoulder region always takes place lateral to the coracoid process.

In other animals

In bird
Bird

Birds are wing, Bipedalismal, endothermic , vertebrate animals that lay egg . There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most numerous tetrapod vertebrates....
s and reptile
Reptile

Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia, are air-breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates that have skin covered in scale as opposed to hair or feathers....
s, the coracoid
Coracoid

The coracoid Process is a small hook-like structure on the lateral edge of the superior anterior portion of the scapula. Pointing laterally forward, it, together with the acromion, serves to stabilize the Glenohumeral joint....
 is a separate bone.

Etymology

Coracoid in itself means "like a raven
Raven

Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus —but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied....
's beak", with reference to its shape. (Greek "Korax" = Raven)

Additional images


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