Also called: collarbone
The clavicle, or collarbone, is an S-shaped bone that connects the shoulder girdle to the sternum. It articulates medially with the manubrium at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion at the acromioclavicular joint. It acts as a strut that holds the shoulder away from the trunk.
| Type | Long bone (irregular shaft, no medullary cavity). |
|---|---|
| Location | Horizontal, at the base of the neck, above the first rib. |
| Landmarks | Sternal end, acromial end, conoid tubercle, trapezoid line, subclavian groove. |
| Articulations | Sternum (sternoclavicular joint) and scapula (acromioclavicular joint). |
| Muscle attachments | Sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major, deltoid, trapezius, subclavius. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
It is the first bone to ossify in the embryo and one of the most frequently fractured bones, usually at the junction of the middle and lateral thirds.
At the junction of the middle and lateral thirds, its weakest point.
The sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints.
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