Bone · Shoulders

Clavicle

Clavicula

The clavicle is the collarbone: a shallow S-shaped strut running from the top of the breastbone out to the tip of the shoulder. It is the only bony link between the arm and the rest of the skeleton, and its job is to hold the shoulder out to the side, away from the ribcage, so the arm has room to swing. It lies directly under the skin along its whole length, which is why it is so easy to trace with a finger — and so easy to break. The trapezius, deltoid, pectoralis major and sternocleidomastoid all attach to it.