Coracoacromial ligament

Coracoacromial ligament
The left shoulder and acromioclavicular joints, and the proper ligaments of the scapula. (Coraco-acromial visible at upper right.)
Glenoid fossa of right side.
Details
From	Coracoid process
To	Acromion
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum coracoacromiale
TA98	A03.5.01.002
TA2	1740
FMA	25943
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The coracoacromial ligament is a strong triangular ligament between the coracoid process and the acromion. It protects the head of the humerus. Its acromial attachment may be repositioned to the clavicle during reconstructive surgery of the acromioclavicular joint (shoulder joint).

Structure

The coracoacromial ligament originates from the summit of the acromion of the scapula, just in front of the articular surface for the clavicle.[1] It inserts by its broad base along the whole length of the lateral border of the coracoid process of the scapula.[1]

The clavicle and under surface of the deltoid muscle are above it.^[citation needed] The tendon of the supraspinatus muscle (and its bursa) are below it.[2]

Its lateral border is continuous with a dense lamina that passes beneath the deltoid muscle upon the tendons of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle.

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 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.

Function

Together with the coracoid process and the acromion, the coracoacromial ligament forms a vault or arch that protects the head of the humerus.[3]

Clinical significance

The coracoacromial ligament may impinge and compress rotator cuff muscle or tendon.[3] It may be damaged during a shoulder injury.[4]

The attachment of the coracoacromial ligament may be moved from acromion to the end of the clavicle when reconstructing the acromioclavicular joint.[5][6] This often fails.[5] It has lower strength than the coracoclavicular ligament.[6]

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 316 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. Waldman, Steven D. (2014-01-01). "Chapter 30 - Subacromial Impingement Syndrome". Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes. Saunders. pp. 81–85. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-0999-1.00030-7. ISBN 978-1-4557-0999-1.
2. Jacob, S. (2008). "2 - Upper Limb". Human Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. pp. 5–49. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-10373-5.50005-1. ISBN 978-0-443-10373-5.
3. Rosenthal, Michael D.; Moore, Josef H.; Lynch, Joseph R. (2018). "33 - Impingement Syndrome". Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: a Team Approach (4th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 210–220. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39370-6.00033-0. ISBN 978-0-323-39370-6.
4. Liou, Jr-Jiun; Langhans, Mark T.; Gottardi, Riccardo; Tuan, Rocky S. (2016). "6 - Injury and Repair of Tendon, Ligament, and Meniscus". Translating Regenerative Medicine to the Clinic. Academic Press. pp. 75–88. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800548-4.00006-1. ISBN 978-0-12-800548-4.
5. Nguyen, D. (2015). "19 - Failed acromioclavicular joint reconstruction". Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and its Complications. Vol. 1: The Shoulder. Woodhead Publishing. pp. 403–421. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00019-4. ISBN 978-1-78242-449-9.
6. Favorito, P. J.; Herbst, K. A. (2015). "10 - Acromioclavicular joint injuries". Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and its Complications. Vol. 1: The Shoulder. Woodhead Publishing. pp. 215–231. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00010-8. ISBN 978-1-78242-449-9.

External links