The clavicle (collarbone) connects the sternum to the shoulder blade, acting as a strut that holds the shoulder away from the body's central axis. It serves as an attachment point for multiple muscles and protects important neurovascular structures passing beneath it. This S-shaped bone allows significant range of motion in the shoulder while maintaining stability of the upper limb.
The name "clavicle" comes from the Latin clavicula, meaning "little key," because of its resemblance to an old-fashioned key and its ability to rotate along its axis.
Image
