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Shoulder ligaments quiz: test your shoulder joint anatomy

Quick, free shoulder anatomy quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jeffrey WarnerUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of shoulder joint anatomy on teal background for quiz on origins, insertions, clinical implications

Use this shoulder joint quiz to check your understanding of ligaments, stabilizers, and key movements. Build confidence before an exam with quick feedback, then expand your review with the shoulder anatomy quiz and the shoulder girdle anatomy quiz. If you need to sharpen landmarks, try the bone markings quiz.

The glenohumeral joint is classified as which type of synovial joint?
Pivot (trochoid)
Saddle (sellar)
Hinge (ginglymus)
Ball-and-socket (spheroidal)
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Which muscle initiates the first ~15 degrees of shoulder abduction at the glenohumeral joint?
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Supraspinatus
Deltoid
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The tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii originates from which structure?
Infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula
Supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula
Greater tubercle of the humerus
Coracoid process
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Which rotator cuff muscle inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus?
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Supraspinatus
Subscapularis
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Which nerve innervates the infraspinatus muscle?
Suprascapular nerve
Axillary nerve
Upper subscapular nerve
Dorsal scapular nerve
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The teres minor muscle is innervated by which nerve?
Axillary nerve
Lower subscapular nerve
Suprascapular nerve
Radial nerve
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Which structure forms a protective arch over the humeral head to resist superior displacement?
Coracoacromial arch
Transverse humeral ligament
Coracoclavicular ligament
Glenohumeral ligaments
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What is the primary action of the subscapularis at the glenohumeral joint?
Horizontal adduction only
Internal (medial) rotation
Abduction
External (lateral) rotation
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Which artery most commonly accompanies the axillary nerve through the quadrangular space?
Anterior circumflex humeral artery
Suprascapular artery
Posterior circumflex humeral artery
Circumflex scapular artery
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Which test is most classically used to assess supraspinatus integrity in suspected rotator cuff tear?
Speed test
Yergason test
Drop arm test
Adson test
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Which muscle inserts into the floor (middle lip) of the intertubercular groove of the humerus?
Latissimus dorsi
Long head of triceps
Pectoralis major
Teres major
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Which artery participates in the scapular anastomosis by passing through the triangular space?
Thoracoacromial artery
Circumflex scapular artery
Anterior circumflex humeral artery
Posterior circumflex humeral artery
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Which two ligaments are located within the rotator interval?
Middle and inferior glenohumeral ligaments
Conoid and trapezoid ligaments
Coracohumeral and superior glenohumeral ligaments
Transverse humeral and coracoacromial ligaments
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Which nerve innervates the subscapularis muscle?
Suprascapular nerve
Axillary nerve
Lateral pectoral nerve
Upper and lower subscapular nerves
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A SLAP lesion involves which structure in relation to the biceps tendon?
Inferior labrum with avulsion of IGHL
Superior labrum anterior to posterior, including the biceps anchor
Posterior labrum with reverse Bankart
Mid-substance tear of the biceps tendon only
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Which structure stabilizes the tendon of the long head of the biceps in the bicipital groove?
Superior glenohumeral ligament
Middle glenohumeral ligament
Transverse humeral ligament
Conoid ligament
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Which set of arteries classically forms the scapular anastomosis around the shoulder girdle?
Posterior circumflex humeral, profunda brachii, and radial recurrent arteries
Suprascapular, dorsal scapular, and circumflex scapular arteries
Thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, and subscapular veins
Radial, ulnar, and brachial arteries
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Which structure deepens the glenoid and provides attachment to the long head of the biceps tendon superiorly?
Coracoacromial ligament
Glenoid labrum
Joint capsule only
Articular cartilage
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Which muscle tends to resist inferior translation of the humeral head by its tonic activity in the coronal plane?
Deltoid
Anconeus
Pronator teres
Brachialis
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Which injury pattern is most consistent with Erb palsy affecting shoulder function?
C8-T1 lower trunk injury causing claw hand
C5-C6 upper trunk injury causing loss of abduction and external rotation
Median nerve palsy causing thenar atrophy only
Radial nerve palsy causing wrist drop only
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Shoulder Muscles -

    Pinpoint and name the primary muscles involved in shoulder movement, including the deltoid and rotator cuff group.

  2. Describe Muscle Origins and Insertions -

    Outline the specific bony attachment points for each muscle, clarifying how origins and insertions dictate shoulder mechanics.

  3. Analyze Shoulder Joint Movements -

    Examine how different muscles coordinate to produce actions like abduction, rotation, flexion, and extension of the shoulder.

  4. Apply Clinical Implication Knowledge -

    Connect anatomical details to common clinical conditions such as impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tears for better diagnosis and treatment understanding.

  5. Differentiate Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Muscles -

    Distinguish between muscles that originate within the shoulder girdle and those that act upon the shoulder from the torso or arm.

  6. Recall Key Anatomical Landmarks -

    Memorize and locate important structures like the acromion, glenoid cavity, and humeral head to enhance spatial orientation.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Rotator Cuff Muscle Origins & Insertions -

    Recall the SITS mnemonic (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis) to memorize origins on the scapula and insertions on the humeral head. For instance, supraspinatus originates in the supraspinous fossa and inserts on the greater tubercle, as noted in Gray's Anatomy (2020). This foundation is essential for nailing your shoulder joint anatomy quiz with confidence.

  2. Glenohumeral Joint Stability Mechanics -

    Understand the static stabilizers (glenoid labrum, joint capsule, ligaments) and dynamic stabilizers (rotator cuff muscles) that work together to maintain joint congruency. According to the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (2019), the labrum deepens the socket by about 50%, boosting stability. Visualizing these forces helps you tackle shoulder anatomy questions realistically.

  3. Scapulohumeral Rhythm & Movement Ratios -

    Use the 2:1 ratio mnemonic: for every 2° of glenohumeral abduction, there's 1° of scapulothoracic upward rotation (AAOS, 2021). This synergy between scapula and humerus maximizes range of motion and reduces impingement risk. Practicing with movement diagrams will sharpen your test shoulder anatomy skills.

  4. Clinical Implications: Impingement & Labral Tears -

    Learn Neer's stages of impingement (I - III) and the SLAP tear classification (Type I - IV) as described in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Recognizing pain patterns in abduction or external rotation can guide your diagnosis approach. Applying these clinical scenarios makes your shoulder joint muscles quiz answers pop with practical insight.

  5. Neurovascular Structures Around the Shoulder -

    Map the course of the axillary nerve around the surgical neck of the humerus and the posterior circumflex humeral artery, per Netter's Atlas (2018). A simple tip: "Army over Navy" reminds you the artery (Army) runs above the nerve (Navy) through the quadrangular space. This trick ensures you won't miss critical shoulder clinical implications on exam day.

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