Omuz

Omuz is the Turkish term for the shoulder region, encompassing the joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that connect the upper limb to the torso. In anatomy, the shoulder includes the glenohumeral joint and its supporting structures, enabling a wide range of arm movements while bearing loads.

Anatomy: The shoulder girdle comprises the clavicle, scapula, and proximal humerus. The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket articulation between the humeral head and the glenoid fossa of the scapula. The sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints connect the shoulder to the axial skeleton. The scapulothoracic interface, though not a true joint, contributes to shoulder motion. The rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) stabilize the joint, supported by the deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and serratus anterior. Ligaments such as the coracoclavicular and glenohumeral ligaments and the subacromial bursa reduce friction during movement.

Movement and function: The shoulder permits flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation, and circumduction. Scapulohumeral rhythm typically couples arm elevation in a roughly 2:1 ratio between humeral movement and scapular rotation, enabling elevation up to about 180 degrees. The wide mobility of the joint comes with a degree of instability, which is countered by muscles and connective tissues.

Clinical relevance: Common conditions include dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, rotator cuff tears and tendinopathies, impingement, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Symptoms often include pain, reduced range of motion, and weakness, especially with overhead activities. Treatment ranges from physical therapy and injections to surgical repair, depending on cause and severity.

Etymology: In Turkish, omuz means shoulder. The term is used for the anatomical region as well as in expressions referring to bearing a burden over the shoulder.