Vállak

Vállak is the Hungarian term for the pair of shoulders, the upper region of the torso where the arms connect to the body. The singular váll means shoulder, and the plural form vállak is used to refer to both shoulders collectively. The word is common in anatomical, medical, and everyday language.

Anatomy and function: Each shoulder girdle consists of the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the proximal humerus, with the glenohumeral joint enabling a wide range of arm movements. The acromioclavicular joint and surrounding ligaments stabilize the junction between the clavicle and the scapula. Muscles such as the deltoid, trapezius, and the rotator cuff group (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) control lifting, rotation, and stabilization of the arm. The shoulders function as a key conduit for upper limb mobility and weight bearing.

Health and variation: The váll region is prone to injuries and degenerative conditions, including shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears, impingement syndrome, and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Age-related osteoarthritis can affect the acromioclavicular joint. Prevention and management typically involve balanced exercise, proper posture, and, when needed, medical treatment or physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength.

Language and culture: In Hungarian, vállak appears in anatomical contexts and in metaphorical expressions related to responsibility, such as terhet vállalni (to shoulder the burden). The root váll also appears in compounds like vállalkozás, meaning an undertaking.

See also: shoulder joint, deltoid muscle, rotator cuff, clavicle, scapula.