Fig. 10.

Shoulder region of a climber, in side view (a), and in cranial view (b,c). The joint resultant in the shoulder joint has a large component in the medial direction. To counterbalance this component, the scapula must offer a glenoid surface that faces laterally. The muscles pectoralis, latissimus and serratus exert high bending moments on the ribs. A pronounced curvature of the ribs gives them the necessary strength to sustain these bending moments. In addition, a clavicle is of advantage to prevent giving way of the scapula.