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Glite Dictionary
glenoid cavity

glenoid cavity

7.7
A shallow hollow in the shoulder blade where the upper arm bone fits
  • noun
  • /ˈɡlɛnɔɪd ˈkævɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cavidad glenoidea
  • In a healthy shoulder, the glenoid cavity allows for smooth movement of the arm.

Examples

  • Doctors examined the glenoid cavity to ensure it was properly formed for joint function.

  • Scavenius and Sloth (7) found that 56% of the fractures were located on the body of the scapula, while 44% were of the glenoid cavity or neck of the scapula.

    Academic text (2015)

  • The glenoid cavity is where the humerus fits to create the shoulder joint.

Synonyms

glenoid
vsglenoid cavity
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A shallow socket on the shoulder blade that holds the head of the upper arm bone

is the longer phrase form rather than the shorter single word
glenoid fossa
vsglenoid cavity
  • Specialized
8.2

A shallow hollow in the shoulder blade where the arm bone fits

is the same anatomical feature expressed using another term

Surface Forms

glenoid cavity singular
glenoid cavities plural

Morphology

glenoid + cavity

The phrase is directly compositional: 'glenoid' denotes the scapular socket and 'cavity' denotes a hollow or depression, so together they straightforwardly mean the hollow/socket of the glenoid. A learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer that this refers to the shallow depression in the scapula that articulates with the humerus, even though the terminology is anatomical and specialized.

Etymology

Glenoid cavity combines glenoid (from an old Greek word meaning 'socket') and cavity ('a hollow'). It names the shallow hollow in the shoulder bone where the head of the arm bone fits, so the phrase helps you remember it is the socket for the arm.