Understanding your shoulder:

A Basic Breakdown of the

Bone and deep muscle layers

“Female Torso Musculature Labelled Human Muscle Anatomy Diagram | Human Muscles Anatomy Are Given.” Anatomybodydiagram.com,
anatomybodydiagram.com/female-torso-musculature-labelled/female-torso-musculature-labelled-human-muscle-anatomy-diagram-human-mus-
cles-anatomy-are-given/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.
 The Bone Layer

Cla
vicl
e

Scapula
Humerus

In the shoulder, the bone layer is the general foundation. It not only
provides the base for the muscles to attach to and move, but it also creates
the shoudler joint, upon which the muscles art and move the arm. The
shoulder joint is where the head of the humerus fits into the scapula; while
this is joint is fairly loose and allows for a wide range of motion, it also is
extremely succeptible to injury.
 The Deep Muscle Layer

Cla
vicl
Lev pulae

e
Sca
ato
r

Supraspinatus

Infraspinatus

Minor
e r e s
T
Scapula
HuBra
Triceps
merus
ajor
Teres M
chii

The deep muscle layer builds directly onto the bone layer. It connects the
different bones together and gives it support while also maintaing the
shoulder’s wide range of motion. The deep muscle layer is makes up the
majority of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff, while not as strong as the su-
perficial muscles, is highly flexible and is responsible for a lot of day to day
movements, and as such, gets injured in many people.
 Commonly Injured areas

“Rotator Cuff Pain Patterns.” Aidmyrotatorcuff.com, MendMeShop, www.aidmyrotatorcuff.com/rotator-cuff-information/treatment-op-

tions-for-rotator-cuff-injuries.php. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.

Due to the high flexibility of the rotator cuff and the loose nature of the
shoulder joint, injuries are very common. A rotator cuff tear can be caused
just through consistent overuse; traumatic events aren’t even necessary.
Shoulder tendonitis is also very prevalent and is often caused by the same
thing: consistent overuse. Rotator cuff injuries are often dealt with physical
therapy, but in extreme cases, surgery can be required as well. If you begin
to feel pain or discomfort, see a doctor immediately, as these injuries are
easier to deal with early on.