Shoulder and Upper Limb Anatomy Course

Lesson 1 • Anatomical Position and Body Planes

Defines standard anatomical position and the three cardinal planes. Provides the reference framework used throughout all subsequent structural descriptions.

Lesson 2 • Tissue Types and Structural Hierarchy

Outlines the four primary tissue types and how they organize into organs and systems. Grounds students in the microscopic-to-macroscopic logic underlying gross anatomy.

Lesson 3 • Directional and Regional Terms

Covers paired directional terms such as proximal/distal and medial/lateral. Applies these terms specifically to upper limb regions for immediate practical use.

Lesson 1 • Bones of the Shoulder Girdle

Examines the clavicle and scapula, including their processes, fossae, and articulating surfaces. Establishes the bony scaffold on which shoulder muscles and joints are built.

Lesson 2 • Bone Markings and Clinical Landmarks

Synthesizes surface palpation landmarks across all upper limb bones. Connects bony prominences to clinical assessment techniques used in physical examination.

Lesson 3 • Radius and Ulna

Details the paired forearm bones, their proximal and distal articulations, and the interosseous membrane. Prepares students for understanding forearm rotation mechanics.

Lesson 4 • Humerus: Proximal to Distal

Traces the humerus from the head and anatomical neck to the epicondyles and trochlea. Highlights grooves and tuberosities relevant to muscle attachment and nerve pathways.

Lesson 1 • Subacromial Space and Bursae

Identifies the subacromial bursa and coracoacromial arch as key structures in impingement pathology. Links structural anatomy to common clinical presentations.

Lesson 2 • Glenohumeral Joint: Structure and Stability

Covers the ball-and-socket architecture, labrum, and capsular ligaments of the glenohumeral joint. Explains the trade-off between mobility and stability that defines shoulder function.

Lesson 3 • Sternoclavicular Joint

Describes the only bony link between the upper limb and axial skeleton. Covers the articular disc, capsule, and ligaments that permit clavicular elevation and rotation.

Lesson 4 • Scapulothoracic Articulation

Defines the physiological joint formed between the scapula and posterior thorax. Explains scapular kinematics and their role in overhead arm elevation.

Lesson 1 • Intercarpal and Carpometacarpal Joints

Examines motion between carpal bones and the carpometacarpal joints, especially the thumb CMC. Highlights the saddle joint mechanics enabling thumb opposition.

Lesson 2 • Elbow Joint Complex

Details the humeroulnar, humeroradial, and proximal radioulnar joints within the shared capsule. Explains how this compound joint allows both flexion-extension and forearm rotation.

Lesson 3 • Metacarpophalangeal and Interphalangeal Joints

Describes the condyloid MCP joints and the hinge IP joints with their collateral ligaments. Explains how joint structure dictates the direction and range of finger movement.

Lesson 1 • Scapular Stabilizers

Details trapezius, serratus anterior, rhomboids, and levator scapulae as scapular controllers. Links their weakness patterns to clinical scapular dyskinesis.

Lesson 2 • Rotator Cuff Muscles

Covers supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis in detail. Emphasizes their role as dynamic glenohumeral stabilizers and their vulnerability to injury.

Lesson 3 • Deltoid and Teres Major

Examines the three-part deltoid and teres major as primary movers of the glenohumeral joint. Connects their innervation to axillary nerve injury presentations.

Lesson 4 • Pectoralis Major and Minor

Examines the clavicular and sternocostal heads of pectoralis major and the scapular effects of pectoralis minor. Connects these muscles to anterior shoulder posture and pathology.

Lesson 1 • Lumbricals and Interossei

Examines the four lumbricals and the palmar and dorsal interossei as intrinsic finger controllers. Explains their unique role in simultaneous MCP flexion and IP extension.

Lesson 2 • Thenar and Hypothenar Muscles

Identifies the thenar group controlling thumb movement and the hypothenar group controlling the little finger. Links each group to its respective nerve supply for clinical correlation.

Lesson 3 • Tendon Sheaths and Pulleys

Describes the flexor tendon sheath system and the annular and cruciate pulley arrangement. Connects pulley anatomy to trigger finger and tendon repair principles.

Lesson 4 • Anterior Forearm Compartment

Covers the superficial and deep flexor groups including flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus. Explains how these muscles produce wrist flexion and finger grip.

Lesson 1 • Terminal Nerves: Musculocutaneous and Axillary

Details the course, motor targets, and cutaneous territories of the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves. Correlates injury sites with specific muscle weakness and sensory loss patterns.

Lesson 2 • Arterial Supply and Venous Drainage

Maps the axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries and the superficial venous network. Connects vascular anatomy to pulse palpation sites and venipuncture landmarks.

Lesson 3 • Median and Ulnar Nerves

Follows the median and ulnar nerves from the brachial plexus to their hand distributions. Explains carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome from an anatomical basis.

Lesson 4 • Brachial Plexus Organization

Outlines the roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and terminal branches of the brachial plexus. Provides the structural map needed to localize upper limb nerve injuries.

Lesson 1 • Surgical Approaches to the Shoulder

Describes the deltopectoral and anterosuperior approaches, identifying structures at risk. Provides anatomical rationale for approach selection in shoulder surgery.

Lesson 2 • Elbow and Forearm Clinical Conditions

Covers lateral epicondylitis, medial collateral ligament injury, and forearm compartment syndrome anatomically. Links each condition to the specific structures involved.

Lesson 3 • Imaging Anatomy of the Upper Limb

Teaches identification of upper limb structures on plain radiographs, MRI, and ultrasound. Bridges gross anatomy knowledge to the imaging modalities used in clinical diagnosis.

Lesson 4 • Common Shoulder Pathologies

Analyzes rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and impingement syndrome using anatomical frameworks. Connects structural vulnerability to mechanism of injury and clinical signs.