The shoulder joint (or glenohumeral joint from Greek glene, eyeball, + -oid, 'form of', + Latin humerus, shoulder) is structurally classified as a synovial ball-and-socket joint and functionally as a diarthrosis and multiaxial joint. It involves an articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade) and the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Due to the very loose joint capsule, it gives a limited interface of the humerus and scapula and is the most mobile joint of the human body. Comparatively, the shoulder joint differs in other species, providing different movements, locations, etc, in comparison to humans.

Closest relatives