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shoulder girdle

shoulder girdle

1 5.7
The bones that connect the arms to the body, including collarbones and shoulder blades
  • noun
  • /ˈʃoʊldər ˈɡɜrdl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cintura escapular
  • Physical therapy often focuses on strengthening the muscles around the shoulder girdle to improve mobility.
  • shoulder girdle muscles
  • shoulder girdle endurance
  • shoulder girdle mechanism

In gymnastic, it might be the shoulder girdle or whatever, neutral extended arch, spine.

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Examples

  • Shoulder syndrome includes pain, weakness, and deformity of the shoulder-girdle mechanism.

    Academic text (2006)
  • As you can see in B above, this is happening as the bones ossify, and before the shoulder girdle has fully formed.

    Blog text (15)
  • The trapezius muscle is responsible for the primary rotatory and supportive actions of the shoulder girdle mechanism.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Muscle overload causes atypical headaches, pain in the neck and shoulder girdle, and even pain in the eye or ear.

    Blog text (32)
  • Patients underwent a complete shoulder-girdle evaluation by a physiatrist (T.G.) who specializes in the rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Both passive and active range of motion are evaluated, and a detailed examination of the shoulder girdle includes inspection and palpation of the acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The shoulder girdle connects the arms to the trunk and provides support for upper body movements.

  • An injury to the shoulder girdle can affect a person's ability to lift objects overhead.

Synonyms

pectoral girdle
vsshoulder girdle
  • Specialized
1 7.7

The bones near the shoulders that attach the arms to the chest

is limited to humans rather than referring to all vertebrates
pectoral arch
vsshoulder girdle
  • Specialized
8.6

Bones near the shoulder made of the collarbones and shoulder blades that support the arm

is specific to humans rather than applying to other animals

Surface Forms

Morphology

shoulder + girdle

The meaning is directly compositional: 'shoulder' names the location and 'girdle' denotes an encircling/structural element, so together they describe the bony ring that supports the shoulders and connects the arms to the trunk. This follows regular English noun-noun compounding and parallels similar anatomical terms in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Shoulder girdle uses the old word girdle, which meant a 'belt', and shoulder for the top of the arm. The collarbones and shoulder blades make a belt-like frame that 'supports' and 'connects' the arms to the body, so the name helps you picture the bones that hold the arms in place.