Sternoclavicular joint
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At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Tariq Walizai had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Tariq Walizai's current disclosures- Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ)
- Sternoclavicular joints (SCJs)
The sternoclavicular joint is a synovial joint between the medial clavicle, manubrium and the first costal cartilage that joins the upper limb with the axial skeleton.
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Gross anatomy
There are two non-congruent articular surfaces forming a saddle joint 3:
medial clavicle: larger of the two
clavicular notch of the sternum: smaller of the two
The articular surfaces are covered with fibrocartilage (rather than hyaline cartilage as in most other synovial joints). The joint space is divided into two separate recesses by a fibrocartilage articular disc 1,2.
Ligaments
Due to the non-congruent articular facets, much of the joint stability comes from surrounding ligaments 3,4:
anterior and posterior sternoclavicular ligament: thickenings of the joint capsule
interclavicular ligament: between the superomedial ends of the clavicles, extends between the clavicles, over the top of the manubrium,
Special structures
-
articular disc
flat and oval in shape
made of fibrocartilage (like the menisci of the knee and labrum of the hip and shoulder)
attached to the joint capsule anteriorly and posteriorly, first costal cartilage inferiorly and the clavicle superiorly
-
synovial membrane
the joint is enclosed by a synovial membrane, which secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint, facilitating smooth movements.
-
capsule
the joint is surrounded by a fibrous capsule that encloses the joint, providing additional support and protection.
Relations
anteriorly: sternocleidomastoid muscle 3
posteriorly: sternohyoid muscle, sternothyroid muscle, brachiocephalic veins, the origin of the great vessels 2
Arterial supply
Innervation
Variant anatomy
~2.5% of the population have an inferior facet for articulation with the first rib 3
perforation of the articular disc, where the joint recesses are in communication 3
Related pathology
sternoclavicular joint degenerative disease
site of septic arthritis, especially in intravenous drug use 4
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Restrepo CS, Martinez S, Lemos DF et-al. Imaging appearances of the sternum and sternoclavicular joints. Radiographics. 2009;29 (3): 839-59. doi:10.1148/rg.293055136 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Klein MA, Miro PA, Spreitzer AM et-al. MR imaging of the normal sternoclavicular joint: spectrum of findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1995;165 (2): 391-3. doi:10.2214/ajr.165.2.7618564 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Disorders of the shoulder. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN:0781756782. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Brossmann J, Stäbler A, Preidler KW et-al. Sternoclavicular joint: MR imaging-anatomic correlation. Radiology. 1996;198 (1): 193-8. Pubmed citation
- 5. Dalley AF. Essential clinical anatomy. LWW. ISBN:0781799155. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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- Sternum
- Chest (supine view)
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- Paediatric clavicle abnormalities
- Clavicular fracture
- Common carotid artery
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- Vacuum phenomenon
- Brachiocephalic trunk
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- SAPHO syndrome
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms (S)
- Costoclavicular ligament
- Acromioclavicular joint injury
- Subclavian vein
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- Chest (expiratory view)
- Chest (AP erect view)
- Sternoclavicular joint anterior dislocation (ultrasound)
- Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint with abscess formation
- Posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation - ultrasound
- Sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis
- Sternoclavicular abscess and osteomyelitis
- Sternoclavicular joint dislocation
- Sternoclavicular joint (Gray's illustration)
- Normal sternoclavicular radiographs
- Sternoclavicular joint dislocation
- Fracture-dislocation of clavicle
- Septic arthritis of sternoclavicular joint
- Sternoclavicular joint posterior subluxation
- Sternoclavicular joint dislocation
- Vacuum phenomenon in the sternoclavicular joint
- Posterior dislocation of sternoclavicular joint
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