What is the shoulder joint?
The the shoulder joint is called the glenohumeral joint. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a ball-and-socket synovial joint.
What it is
- A ball-and-socket synovial joint.
- Formed where the head of the humerus meets the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula.
- The most freely movable joint in the body.
Where it is
- Between the upper arm and the trunk.
- Reinforced by the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.
- Held in place mainly by muscles, since the socket is very shallow.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Best Anatomy Answers is an educational reference about human anatomy. It is not medical advice — for any health concern, talk to a licensed medical professional.