õlavöötme

The shoulder girdle, known in Estonian as the õlavöötme, is a complex structure that connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton. It consists of four bones: the clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade) on each side. These bones provide a stable base for the muscles that control arm movement and allow for the wide range of motion characteristic of the human shoulder.

The clavicle is a long, S-shaped bone that articulates with the sternum at its medial end and the scapula at its lateral end. The scapula is a large, triangular bone located on the posterior aspect of the thorax. It has a prominent spine that divides its posterior surface into two fossae. The glenoid cavity, a shallow socket on the lateral aspect of the scapula, articulates with the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) to form the glenohumeral joint, the primary joint of the shoulder.

The shoulder girdle's primary function is to suspend the upper limb and provide attachment sites for numerous muscles. These muscles, including the rotator cuff muscles, deltoid, and pectoralis major, work together to facilitate movements such as abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, rotation, and circumduction of the arm. The flexibility and mobility of the shoulder girdle are crucial for a wide array of daily activities and athletic pursuits. However, this extensive range of motion also makes the shoulder girdle susceptible to injuries like dislocations and rotator cuff tears.