Acromial End Of The Clavicle

Description

Acromial end of the clavicle occupies the lateral terminus of the collarbone at the superior aspect of the shoulder girdle. Its broad, flattened contour expands laterally from the shaft and meets the acromion of the scapula at the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, with the small oval articular facet oriented laterally and slightly inferiorly compared with the clavicular shaft. Inferior to this lateral end, the conoid tubercle and trapezoid line provide attachment for the coracoclavicular ligament complex, positioning these landmarks posteroinferior to the joint surface. Medially, the clavicle narrows into the diaphysis and continues toward the sternum. AC joint anatomy matters any time you are discussing traumatic shoulder pain and step-off deformity after a fall onto the lateral shoulder. The acromial end is the bony reference for grading AC separations, distinguishing isolated AC ligament injury from coracoclavicular disruption by the relationship between the distal clavicle, the acromion, and the ligament insertions on the inferoposterior clavicle. Articular surface shape and the immediate subarticular contour also influence degenerative AC arthrosis and surgical planning for distal clavicle excision, where over-resection can destabilize the joint. Orthopaedic texts, sports medicine modules, and anatomy lab practicals commonly need a focused illustration of the distal clavicle to label the acromial facet and the coracoclavicular attachment sites in one frame. It also fits well in patient-facing education for AC sprain and clavicle fracture discussions, when you want a single, uncluttered bony landmark at the top of the shoulder. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.