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subacromial

subacromial

1 9.6
Sits under the bony point at the top of the shoulder blade
  • adjective
  • /ˌsʌb.əˈkroʊ.mi.əl/
  • Specialized
: subacromial
  • Repeated, minor tears often cause the formation of scar tissue and a decrease in the subacromial space, which, in turn, results in an impingement syndrome.
  • the subacromial space

Examples

  • The doctor explained that the pain was likely due to inflammation in the subacromial area of the shoulder.

  • This can cause the scapula to anteriorly tilt, which has been shown to decrease the subacromial space, translate the HH anteriorly, and decrease the effectiveness of internal and external rotator force generation.

    Academic text (2016)
  • To relieve discomfort, the physical therapist focused on exercises to increase the range of motion in the subacromial space.

  • A common cause of shoulder pain is the narrowing of the subacromial space, which can lead to impingement problems.

Surface Forms

subacromial positive

Morphology

subacromial = acromial (transparent) = sub + acromion + al

Composition is a straightforward prefixation: 'sub-' (under) + 'acromial' (relating to the acromion), yielding 'beneath the acromion'.

Etymology

Subacromial breaks into sub- meaning 'under' and acromion meaning 'the top of the shoulder', and acro- is the same part you see in acrobat meaning 'high'. So subacromial means 'under the top of the shoulder', which is why doctors use it for the area beneath that shoulder bone.