clavikel

Clavikel is a term that may be used to refer to the clavicle, the collarbone, in certain languages or older texts. In standard anatomical terminology, the bone is called the clavicle. It is a slender, S-shaped long bone that connects the sternum to the scapula and serves as a structural link between the axial skeleton and the upper limb.

Anatomy and joints: The clavicle has a medial (sternal) end that articulates with the manubrium of the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint, and a lateral (acromial) end that forms the acromioclavicular joint with the acromion of the scapula. Its subcutaneous position along the upper chest makes it a prominent bone. The clavicle protects underlying neurovascular structures and provides a strut that holds the shoulder away from the thorax, aiding upper limb mobility. Several ligaments stabilize the joints, including the sternoclavicular, costoclavicular, and acromioclavicular ligaments.

Development and variation: Ossification of the clavicle begins early in fetal life, with most of the bone formed intramembranously and endochondral elements developing later. The medial and lateral epiphyses appear during childhood and fuse with the shaft by late adolescence in most individuals. Variation in size and curvature occurs among people.

Function and clinical relevance: The clavicle transmits mechanical loads from the arm to the trunk and helps position the scapula for shoulder movement. It is prone to fractures, especially in the middle third, due to its rigidity and exposure. Fractures are typically treated with immobilization; displaced fractures may require reduction or surgical fixation. Knowledge of nearby structures is important in trauma to avoid injury to the subclavian vessels or the apex of the lung.