Week 4

Pectoral Girdle

Shoulder Complex
Scapula
Clavicle
Sternum
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This Week's Focus
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Connecting arms to body
This Week's Focus

The scapula is particularly challenging because it's a flat bone with multiple views (posterior, anterior, lateral). The pectoral girdle attaches your arms to your axial skeleton.

Learning Strategy

3D Mental Rotation & Movement-Based Learning

Key Challenges

  • Scapula has complex 3D structure
  • Multiple anatomical views to master
  • Understanding functional relationships
  • Palpation connects structure to function
Website Resources
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Your study toolkit
Website Resources

Recommended: Kenhub

URL: www.kenhub.com

What to expect: High-quality anatomy content with videos and quizzes. Some content is free; premium subscription available.

Best for: Video learners who want to see bones from multiple angles with expert explanation.

How to use: Search 'scapula anatomy' or 'clavicle anatomy.' Watch videos first, then take quizzes. Free users can access basic content.

Study Method #4
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Movement-Based Learning
Movement-Based Learning

Move your shoulder while palpating (feeling) your clavicle and scapula. Shrug your shoulders and feel your scapulae move. This connects bone structures to actual function.

Active Learning Exercises

  • Reach across your body - feel the scapula move
  • Shrug your shoulders - trace scapula movement
  • Roll your shoulders - follow the rotation
  • Touch opposite shoulder - feel clavicle

Why This Works

  • Kinesthetic memory is powerful
  • Understanding function aids structure recall
  • Physical engagement deepens learning
  • Movement reveals spatial relationships
Practice Tips
Daily checklist
Practice Tips
  • The scapula is tricky—spend extra time on posterior vs. anterior views
  • Feel your own clavicle from medial to lateral end
  • Palpate your sternum—feel the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
  • Draw the scapula from memory in all three views (posterior, anterior, lateral)

Pro Tip

The scapula is the most complex bone this week. Dedicate extra time to understanding its multiple views and how it moves during shoulder motion.

Scapula
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Shoulder blade - most complex
Scapula Deep Dive

Key Characteristics

  • Large, flat, triangular bone
  • Located on the posterior thorax
  • Highly mobile - glides over rib cage
  • Multiple processes and fossae

What to Master

  • Posterior view (most common)
  • Anterior view (subscapular fossa)
  • Lateral view (glenoid cavity)
  • Spine, acromion, and coracoid process

Remember: The scapula has THREE major views to learn. Spend extra time rotating it mentally in 3D space.

Clavicle & Sternum
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Collar bone & breastbone
Clavicle & Sternum Deep Dive

Clavicle

  • S-shaped bone connecting sternum to scapula
  • Only bony connection between arm and axial skeleton
  • Medial end is rounded, lateral end is flattened
  • Most commonly fractured bone

Sternum

  • Central bone of anterior thorax
  • Three parts: manubrium, body, xiphoid process
  • Ribs attach to it via costal cartilages
  • Important landmark for CPR

Remember: The clavicle is your collarbone - easily palpable from the sternum to your shoulder.