anotemy
Sign in
Try it free
Clavicle — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz
The Clavicle is located in the anterior thorax. S-shaped bone, connects sternum to scapula, strut for shoulder. The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax.
Key facts
| Location | Anterior thorax |
|---|---|
| Main function | S-shaped bone, connects sternum to scapula, strut for shoulder. |
| Layer | skeleton |
| Key fact 1 | The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax. |
| Key fact 2 | The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula. |
| Key fact 3 | The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder. |
Where is the Clavicle located?
The Clavicle is located in the anterior thorax.
The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax.
What does the Clavicle do?
S-shaped bone, connects sternum to scapula, strut for shoulder.
The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula.
What to know for exams
- The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax.
- The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula.
- The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
It belongs to the skeleton layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.
Clinical relevance
The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
Link the clavicle to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.
Memory aid: Clavicle
The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax. The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula. The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.
Clavicle anatomy quiz
Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.
-
Where is the Clavicle located?
Reveal answer
Anterior thorax
-
What is the main function of the Clavicle?
Reveal answer
S-shaped bone, connects sternum to scapula, strut for shoulder.
-
Give one key fact about the Clavicle.
Reveal answer
The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax.
-
Give another key fact about the Clavicle.
Reveal answer
The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula.
-
What clinical link is associated with the Clavicle?
Reveal answer
The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
Common questions
Where is the Clavicle located?
The Clavicle is located in the anterior thorax. The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax.
What does the Clavicle do?
S-shaped bone, connects sternum to scapula, strut for shoulder. The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula.
What is a key fact about the Clavicle?
The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
What layer does the Clavicle belong to?
It belongs to the skeleton layer of the body.
What should I remember for exams?
The clavicle is an S-shaped long bone located horizontally across the anterior thorax. The clavicle articulates medially with the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint and laterally with the acromion of the scapula. The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body, often from a fall on the shoulder.
Sources
- Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
- TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
- Kenhub — anatomy library
- StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Clavicle search
3D atlas and image credits
Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.
The 3D models are third-party assets under Creative Commons share-alike licences. They keep those licences; the page text is separate. If you reuse an image, keep the attribution and the share-alike licence.