Coracoacromial ligament

Coracoacromial ligament
The left shoulder and acromioclavicular joints, and the proper ligaments of the scapula. (Coraco-acromial visible at upper right.)
Glenoid fossa of right side.
Details
From	coracoid process
To	acromion
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum coracoacromiale
TA98	A03.5.01.002
TA2	1740
FMA	25943
Anatomical terminology

The coracoacromial ligament is a strong triangular band, extending between the coracoid process and the acromion.

It is attached, by its apex, to the summit of the acromion just in front of the articular surface for the clavicle; and by its broad base to the whole length of the lateral border of the coracoid process.

This ligament, together with the coracoid process and the acromion, forms a vault for the protection of the head of the humerus.

It is in relation, above, with the clavicle and under surface of the deltoid muscle; below, with the tendon of the supraspinatus, a bursa being interposed.

Its lateral border is continuous with a dense lamina that passes beneath the deltoid upon the tendons of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.

The ligament is sometimes described as consisting of two marginal bands and a thinner intervening portion, the two bands being attached respectively to the apex and the base of the coracoid process, and joining together at the acromion.

When the pectoralis minor is inserted, as occasionally is the case, into the capsule of the shoulder-joint instead of into the coracoid process, it passes between these two bands, and the intervening portion of the ligament is then deficient.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 316 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)