Abstract
Since the first description of the coracoclavicular joint in 1861, many papers have been published reporting its occurrence, anatomical description, and geographical distribution. However, there are as yet no published articles with a convincing explanation for the rather variable forms of this variant. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the coracoclavicular joint in the current and medieval population of Toulouse city and propose, through biometric measures, an explanation for the different forms of this anatomical variant. A total of 2192 chest X-rays taken for various conditions at a receiving hospital and 392 specimens (784 scapulae and an equal number of clavicles) of the L’Isle-Jourdain Series were examined with this aim. When present in the osteologic collection, the sizes of the articular conoid process as well as the height of the corresponding coracoid and acromial processes were noted. A coracoclavicular joint was noted in 0.82% and in 1.78% of the individuals examined in the radiological and osteologic series, respectively. The conoid process varied in size and correlated with the disposition of each correspondent coracoacromial arch. Osteoarthritis was noted in some of these joints when there was discordance between the conoid process size and the architecture of the correspondent coracoacromial arch, suggesting impingement. Our findings support a genetic origin for this variant, and suggest that its occurrence is also probably influenced by environmental factors. Osteoarthritis of this joint may be responsible for shoulder pain.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bruzek J (2002) A method for visual determination of sex, using the human hip bone. Am J Phys Anthropol 117: 157–168
Cho BP, Kang HS (1998) Articular facets of the coracoclavicular joint in Koreans. Acta Anat 163: 56–62
Cockshott W P (1979) The coracoclavicular joint. Radiology 131: 313−316
Cockshott W P (1992) The geography of coracoclavicular joints. Skeletal Radiol 21: 225–227
Frassetto F (1921) Tre casi di articolazione coraro-clavicolare Osservati radiograficamente sul Vivente. Nota antropologica e clinica. Chir Org Movimento 5: 116–124
Fischer L, Vuillard P, Blanc JF, Bouchet A (1971) L’articulation coraco-claviculaire. Lyon Med 225: 1257–1260
Gruber W (1861) Die Oberschulterhackenschleibeutel (Bursae mucosae supracoradoideae). Mémoire de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences, Saint Petersburg Vll; Séries 3: 1–28
Hama H, Matsusue Y, Yamamuro T (1993) Thoracic outlet syndrome associated with an anomalous coracoclavicular joint: a case report. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 75A: 1368–1370
Haramati N, Cook RA (1994) Coraco-clavicular joint: normal variant in humans—a radiographic demonstration in the human and non-human primate. Skeletal Radiol 23: 117–119
Jaluvka V (1959) Roentgenologicka studie o korakoklavikularnim kloobu. Ceskoslovensha Rentgenologie 13: 176–180
Kaur H, Jit I (1991) Coracoclavicular joint in Northwest Indians. Am J Phys Anthropol 85: 457–460
Lane AW (1886) Some points in the physiology and pathology of the changes produced by pressure on the bony skeleton of the trunk and shoulder girdle. Guy’s Hospital Rep 38: 321–434
Lewis OJ (1959) The coraco-clavicular joint. J Anat 93: 296–303
Moore RD, Renner RR (1957) Coracoclavicular joint. Am J Roentgenol 78:86–88
Nalla S, Asvat R (1995) Incidence of the coracoclavicular joint in South African populations. J Anat 186: 645–649
Nehme I, Tricoire JL, Colombier D, El Feghaly M, Giordano G, Puget J (1998) Bilateral coracoclavicular joint. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 8: 179–181
Nutter PD (1941) Coraco clavicular articulations. J Bone Joint Surg 23: 177–179
Parsons FG (1916) On the proportions and characteristics of the modern English clavicle. J Anat 51: 71–93
Pillay VK (1967) The coraco-clavicular joint. Singapore Med J 8: 207–213
Poirier P (1890) La clavicule et ses articulations, bourse séreuse des ligaments costo-claviculaire trapézoïde et conoïde. J Anat Physiol 26: 81–103
Ray IL (1959) Bilateral coraco-clavicular articulations in the Australian aboriginal. J Bone Joint Surg 41B: 180–184
Samilson RL (1980 ) Congenital and developmental anomalies of the shoulder girdle. Orthop Clin N Am 11: 219–231
Saunders SR (1989) Non-metric skeletal variation. Reconstruction of life from the skeleton. AR Liss 6: 95–108
Wertheimer LG (1948) Coracoclavicular joint: surgical treatment of a painful syndrome caused by an anomalous joint. J Bone Joint Surg 30A: 570–578
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nehme, A., Tricoire, JL., Giordano, G. et al. Coracoclavicular joints. Reflections upon incidence, pathophysiology and etiology of the different forms. Surg Radiol Anat 26, 33–38 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0178-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0178-y