AC Joint Separation

The AC joint is formed by the distal (lateral ) end of the clavicle and the medial end of the acromion. It is above the "true" shoulder (glenohumeral) joint. It is smaller and has much less mobility than the shoulder joint so it has much less functional signficance in terms of active shoulder function. However, it is a critical structure as it is the main connection between the arm and the axial skeleton. The entire upper extremity "hangs" from the AC joint which is why the coracoclavicular ligaments are also called the suspensory ligament. The primary stabilizer of the AC jont is the short and strong coracoclavicular ligament which has two componenets (conoid and trapezoid).

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