Activity and the Shoulder: From Soft Tissues to Bare Bones

Francisca Alves-Cardoso, Aaron Gasparik

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the anatomy of the human shoulder, detailing the soft tissue structures that allow this joint to move and remain stable throughout its range of motion, as well as describing the points at which these structures attach to the bones. This chapter then highlights the range of methodologies for inferring behaviour from the morphology of the shoulder, including changes to the muscle and tendon insertion sites, joint asymmetry, cortical bone thickness, and overall bone morphology. Archaeological analyses are also presented to illustrate how changes in the shoulder joint have been used to infer activities in the past. In addition to standard bone remodelling changes, this chapter includes a discussion of pathological bone remodelling changes in response to mechanical strain by discussing evidence of rotator cuff disease. Finally, this chapter offers a cautionary note about inferring too far beyond the limits of the osseous changes, suggesting a more restrained approach to the analysis of activity and shoulder joint changes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBehavior in our Bones
Subtitle of host publicationHow Human Behavior Influences Skeletal Morphology
EditorsCara Stella Hirst, Kimberly A. Plomp, Rebecca J. Gilmour, Francisca Alves Cardoso
Place of PublicationAmesterdão
PublisherElsevier
Chapter4
Pages73-107
Number of pages34
ISBN (Print)978-0-12-821383-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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