What is the name of the bone commonly referred to as the shoulder blade?

The bone commonly referred to as the shoulder blade is the scapula. This flat, triangular bone plays a crucial role in shoulder mechanics by serving as an attachment point for muscles that facilitate arm movement and stability. The scapula articulates with the humerus at the shoulder joint, allowing for a wide range of motion in the arm. It also connects with the clavicle, which is often associated with the shoulder area. Understanding the scapula's anatomy and function is essential for grasping how the shoulder joint operates, especially in movements such as lifting and throwing.

The other choices represent different bones: the clavicle is the collarbone that connects the arm to the body, the humerus is the long bone in the upper arm, and the sternum is the breastbone located in the center of the chest. Each plays a unique role in the body, but only the scapula is known as the shoulder blade.