nivelkuoppa

Nivelkuoppa, known in anatomy as the glenoid fossa or glenoid cavity, is the shallow articular surface on the lateral aspect of the scapula that forms the socket of the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) when it articulates with the head of the humerus. The cavity is oriented laterally and slightly anteriorly, and its articular surface is covered by hyaline cartilage.

The rim of the glenoid fossa is deepened by the glenoid labrum, a fibrocartilaginous ring that increases the depth of the socket and helps stabilize the joint. The labrum provides attachment sites for ligaments and serves as a muscular anchor region; the supraglenoid tubercle and infraglenoid tubercle near the rim are notable attachment points for the long heads of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii, respectively. The joint capsule surrounds the glenoid cavity and humeral head, with several ligaments (glenohumeral ligaments, coracohumeral ligament) contributing to passive stability.

Functionally, theNivelkuoppa offers a relatively shallow socket that allows a wide range of motion for the shoulder while relying on the labrum, capsule, ligaments, and surrounding muscles (notably the rotator cuff) for stability. The inferior portion of the capsule is the most lax, accommodating humeral head translation during movement. Clinically, injuries such as a Bankart lesion involve tearing of the labrum from the glenoid rim, reflecting the importance of the glenoid fossa in shoulder stability. Developmentally, the glenoid cavity forms as the scapula matures, with the labrum and capsule completing the joint architecture.