Semmelweis Medical Terminology Practice Test

The term shoulder blade refers to the scapula, a flat, triangular bone on the back of the rib cage that forms part of the shoulder girdle. The scapula sits over the upper ribs and provides the socket for the humerus at the glenoid cavity, enabling the shoulder’s wide range of motion. It also connects to the clavicle at the acromion region and serves as an attachment site for many muscles that move the arm. The other bones aren’t described as the shoulder blade: the radius and ulna are the forearm bones, while the clavicle is the collarbone.