Joints of the upper limb

Synovial ball and socket joint
Articulation occurs between head of humerus and glenoid cavity
Articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage
Surface of glenoid cavity is deepened by rim of fibrocartilage - the glenoid labrum
Capsule is thin and allows large range of movement
Capsule is strengthened by ligaments
- Glenohumeral ligaments
- Transverse humeral ligament
- Coracohumeral ligament
- Coracoacromial ligament
The nerve supply is form the axillary and suprascapular nerves
The stability of the joint if provided by the muscles that cross it

Flexion
- Anterior fibres of deltoid
- Pectoralis major
- Biceps
- Coracobrachialis
Extension
- Posterior fibres of deltoid
- Latissimus dorsi
- Teres major
Abduction
- Middle fibres of deltoid
- Supraspinatus
Adduction
- Pectoralis major
- Latissimus dorsi
- Teres major
- Teres minor
Lateral rotation
- Infraspinatus
- Teres minor
Medial rotation
- Subscapularis
- Latissimus dorsi
- Teres major

Synovial hinge joint
Articulation occurs between trochlea and capitulum of the humerus and notch of the ulna and radial head
Articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilage
Capsule is strengthened by ligaments
- Lateral ligament
- Medial ligament
Synovial membrane is continuous with that of superior radioulnar joint
Nerve supply is from median ulnar, musculocutaneous and radial nerves
Long axis of extended arm is at angle to the long axis of the arm
This is know as the carrying angle

Synovial pivot joint
Articulation occurs between head of the radius and annular ligament and radial notch of the ulna
Capsule is continuous with elbow joint
Annular ligament is attached to anterior and posterior margins of the radial notch of the ulna
Forms a collar around the head of the radius
Synovial membrane is continuous with that of the elbow
Nerve supply is from the median, ulnar, musculocutaneous and radial nerves