Which part of the upper extremities connects the trunk to the arms?

The structure that connects the trunk to the arms is known as the shoulder girdle. The shoulder girdle, also referred to as the pectoral girdle, consists of the clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). This anatomical arrangement provides not only a connection between the arms and the trunk but also supports the range of motion at the shoulder joint, facilitating various arm movements.

While the clavicle serves as a critical component of the shoulder girdle by connecting the sternum to the scapula, and the scapula plays a vital role in movement and stability, it is the shoulder girdle as a whole that encompasses both the scapula and the clavicle, functioning as the bridge between the upper limbs and the torso. The humerus, on the other hand, is the bone of the upper arm that connects to the shoulder girdle at the shoulder joint but does not itself connect the trunk to the arms. Therefore, understanding the role of the shoulder girdle is essential in the context of the anatomy of the upper extremities.