Shoulder girdle formation and positioning during embryonic and early fetal human development. 2020

Sayaka Tanaka, and Rino Sakamoto, and Toru Kanahashi, and Shigehito Yamada, and Hirohiko Imai, and Akio Yoneyama, and Tetsuya Takakuwa
Human Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Positional information on the shoulder girdle (the clavicle and scapula) is important for a better understanding of the function of the upper limb in the locomotive system as well as its associated disease pathogenesis. However, such data are limited except for information on the axial position of the scapula. Here, we describe a three-dimensional reconstruction of the shoulder girdle including the clavicle and scapula, and its relationship to different landmarks in the body. Thirty-six human fetal specimens (crown-rump length range: 7.6-225 mm) from the Kyoto Collection were used for this study. The morphogenesis and three-dimensional position of the shoulder girdle were analyzed with phase-contrast X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. We first detected the scapula body along with the coracoid and humeral head at Carnegie stage 18; however, the connection between the body and coracoid was not confirmed at this stage. During development, all landmarks on the shoulder girdle remained at the same axial position except for the inferior angle, which implies that the scapula enlarged in the caudal direction and reached the adult axial position in the fetal period. The scapula body was rotated internally and in the upward direction at the initiation of morphogenesis, but in the fetal period the scapula body was different than that in the adult position. The shoulder girdle was located at the ventral side of the vertebrae at the time of initial morphogenesis, but changed its position to the lateral side of the vertebrae in the late embryonic and fetal periods. Such a unique position of the shoulder girdle may contribute to the stage-specific posture of the upper limb. Adequate internal and upward rotation of the scapula could help in reducing the shoulder width, thereby facilitating childbirth. The data presented in this study can be used as normal morphometric references for shoulder girdle evaluations in the embryonic and fetal periods.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012782 Shoulder Part of the body in humans and primates where the arms connect to the trunk. The shoulder has five joints; ACROMIOCLAVICULAR joint, CORACOCLAVICULAR joint, GLENOHUMERAL joint, scapulathoracic joint, and STERNOCLAVICULAR joint. Shoulders
D012785 Shoulder Joint The articulation between the head of the HUMERUS and the glenoid cavity of the SCAPULA. Glenohumeral Joint,Glenoid Labrum,Glenohumeral Joints,Joint, Glenohumeral,Joint, Shoulder,Joints, Glenohumeral,Joints, Shoulder,Labrum, Glenoid,Shoulder Joints
D016059 Range of Motion, Articular The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES. Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint
D047109 Fetal Development Morphological and physiological development of FETUSES. Fetal Programming,Fetal Growth,Development, Fetal,Fetal Programmings,Growth, Fetal
D048788 Growth and Development The series of changes to the shape, size, components, and functions of an individual organism that occur over time as the organism progresses from its initial form to full size and maturity. Development and Growth
D034941 Upper Extremity The region of the upper limb in animals, extending from the deltoid region to the HAND, and including the ARM; AXILLA; and SHOULDER. Extremity, Upper,Membrum superius,Upper Limb,Extremities, Upper,Limb, Upper,Limbs, Upper,Upper Extremities,Upper Limbs

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