A Brief Overview of the Shoulder
The main shoulder joint, also known as the “glenohumeral joint”, is a ball-and-socket joint (which is what allows for such a wide range of movement) that’s surrounded by a tough, fibrous sleeve (which is referred to as the “capsule”) that helps hold the joint together. The synovium, or inner layer of the capsule, produces a fluid that not only lubricates the joint but also nourishes the cartilage. The rotator cuff is comprised of a group of four muscles and their tendons, and is responsible for controlling movement and helping to hold the joint together as well.