The term "shoulder girdle" refers to the bony structure that connects the arms to the back of the body. Its spelling can be explained using the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription: ˈʃoʊl.dər ˈɡɜrdl. The first part "shoulder" is pronounced as "SHOHL-duhr", while the second part "girdle" is pronounced as "GUR-dl". The stress is on the first syllable of each word, making it quite clear and easy to pronounce. It is an important anatomical term and its correct spelling and pronunciation should be known by health professionals and anatomy enthusiasts alike.
The shoulder girdle, also known as the pectoral girdle or the shoulder complex, is the skeletal framework that connects the upper limbs to the axial skeleton. It consists of the scapulae (shoulder blades) and the clavicles (collarbones), which together form a supportive and flexible structure.
The shoulder girdle plays a crucial role in arm movements and provides stability to the upper body. It serves as an attachment point for various muscles that control the movement of the shoulder and arms. It acts as a mobile platform, allowing for a wide range of motion and flexibility in actions like reaching, lifting, and throwing.
The scapulae, located on the posterior side of the shoulder girdle, are flat, triangular bones that articulate with the clavicles and the humerus (upper arm bone). They provide support and attachment sites for muscles that move and stabilize the shoulder joint.
The clavicles, which are positioned anteriorly, extend horizontally across the top of the thorax, attaching to the sternum (breastbone) and the scapulae. They act as braces, maintaining the position of the upper limbs away from the midline and enhancing the overall stability of the shoulder girdle.
Overall, the shoulder girdle acts as a crucial component of the skeletal system, facilitating and coordinating upper limb movements while ensuring stability and strength to perform daily activities and more complex tasks.
See girdle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "shoulder" originates from the Old English word "sceolde" or "sceuldre", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*skuldro" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*skel-". The Proto-Indo-European root "*skel-" had the general meaning of "to bend", which is associated with the bending shape of the human shoulder.
The word "girdle" can be traced back to the Old English word "gyrdel", which is related to the Proto-Germanic word "*gordlaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*gordh-" or "*ghredh-", meaning "to encircle" or "to gird".
Combining these two words, "shoulder girdle" refers to the skeletal structure that encircles and supports the shoulders, forming a girdle-like shape.