Relations of the Shoulder Joint
Superior
- Coracoacromial arch (coracoid process + coracoacromial ligament + acromion)
- Subacromial bursa
- Supraspinatus muscle (tendon blends with capsule)
- Deltoid muscle
Inferior
- Long head of triceps brachii (arising from infraglenoid tubercle)
- Axillary nerve
- Posterior circumflex humeral artery
Anterior
- Subscapularis muscle (tendon blends with anterior capsule)
- Coracobrachialis muscle
- Short head of biceps brachii
- Deltoid (anterior fibres)
- Cephalic vein (in deltopectoral groove)
Posterior
- Infraspinatus muscle (tendon blends with posterior capsule)
- Teres minor muscle
- Deltoid (posterior fibres)
Within the Joint Cavity (Intracapsular)
- Tendon of the long head of biceps brachii
- Arises from supraglenoid tubercle of scapula
- Passes through the joint cavity above the head of humerus
- Exits through the bicipital groove, enclosed in a synovial sheath
- Prevents upward displacement of the humeral head
Summary Table
| Direction | Structures |
|---|---|
| Superior | Coracoacromial arch, subacromial bursa, supraspinatus, deltoid |
| Inferior | Long head of triceps, axillary nerve, posterior circumflex humeral artery |
| Anterior | Subscapularis, coracobrachialis, short head of biceps, deltoid |
| Posterior | Infraspinatus, teres minor, deltoid |
| Intracapsular | Tendon of long head of biceps brachii |