European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Shoulder joint is a diarthrodial joint of ball and socket variety. Various components of shoulder joint start developing in early embryonic and foetal life at around 8 to 10 weeks. The present study aims to highlight the development of vascularity and cartilage canals around shoulder joint. Shoulder joint of 32 foetuses collected from areas in and around Jammu were dissected properly and decalcified in Gooding and Stewart’s solution. Sections were cut after obtaining blocks by paraffin wax embedding method. Slides were stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin and Masson’s trichrome and important findings were documented. Head of humerus is vascularised by cartilage canals by 10 weeks which arise from perichondrial vessels. In scapula, they develop around 12 weeks. Branching of cartilage canals is seen by 14 weeks. Synovial villi appear by 14 weeks and are vascularised by 16 weeks. Blood vessels enter joint in subcoracoid region. Epiphyseal vessels are seen to communicate with diaphyseal vessels at 17 weeks. Capillaries are seen in free margin of glenoid labrum by 12 to 12-1/2 weeks. Blood vessels are seen to develop in tendon of various muscles from 16 to 18 weeks.