What is the Difference Between Right and Left Clavicle

Generally, the right clavicle occurs on the right side of the body while the left clavicle occurs on the left side of the body. Thus, there is no anatomical or functional difference between right and left clavicle.  

In brief, the clavicle or the collarbone is a long bone, which occurs directly above the first rib. It acts as a strut between the shoulder blade and sternum, keeping the scapula in place. Moreover, the clavicle is the only horizontally-occurring long bone. Basically, there are two clavicles called the left clavicle and the right clavicle. Along with the two scapulae, the two clavicles form the shoulder girdle, which connects to the two arms on each side. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Clavicle
     – Definition, Anatomy, Function, Fractures
2. What is Right Clavicle
     – Significance
3. What is Left Clavicle
     – Significance
4. What are the Similarities Between Right and Left Clavicle
     – Outline of Common Features
5. What is the Difference Between Right and Left Clavicle
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Clavicle, Left Clavicle, Right Clavicle, Shoulder Girdle 

What is Clavicle 

The clavicle or the collarbone is the only horizontally-occurring long bone of the human body. Further, there are two clavicles, which occur on each side of the body. They are known as the right and the left clavicle according to the corresponding side of the body. Other than that, there is no anatomical or functional difference between right and the left clavicle. In fact, they are mirror images of each other.  

Anatomy  

The clavicle is a touchable bone in many people, with less fat in the region. It creates a bulge in the skin. Normally, it has an ‘S’ shape with two large curves. Furthermore, the three regions of a clavicle bone are the medial end, lateral end, and the shaft.

Figure 1: Clavicle Anatomy

Medial End 

There, the medial end or the sternal end is quadrangular, and it articulates with the clavicular notch of the manubrium of the sternum, forming the sternoclavicular joint. Also, the extension of the articular surface of the medial end attaches to the first costal cartilage.  

Lateral End 

The lateral end, or the acromial end, is flat, and it contains facets for the articulation with the shoulder, forming the acromioclavicular joint. Further, its anterior is concave forward while the posterior border is convex backward.  

Shaft 

Typically, two-thirds of the shaft is medial while the remaining one-third is lateral. Here, the medial shaft is thicker while the lateral shaft is thinner. 

Moreover, the clavicle has the most variable shape among the long bones. Besides, the clavicle in males is longer and larger than that of the females. Sometimes, the right clavicle is stronger, and the left clavicle can be longer. 

Function 

Each clavicle occurs just above the first rib. Importantly, both clavicles take part in the formation of the shoulder girdle or the pectoral girdle along with the two scapulae in humans. Here, each clavicle medially articulates with the sternum and laterally with the acromion of the scapula. Further, the shoulder girdle allows the attachment of each arm to the skeleton. Moreover, each clavicle provides rigid support to the upper limb together with the scapula. Thus, this provides the upper limb with a maximum range of movement while keeping it away from the thorax. In addition to this, the clavicles permit the free movement of the scapula through the thoracic wall.

Figure 2: Left Clavicle – Superior Surface

Besides, both clavicles provide sites for the attachment of muscles. Here, the lateral one-third attaches to the trapezius muscle in its posterior surface and deltoid muscle in its anterior surface. On the other hand, the medial two-thirds attaches to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the superior surface, pectoralis major muscle in the anterior surface, and subclavian muscle in the inferior surface – subclavian groove.  

Fractures 

The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone in the body. Typically, it can be fractured either by a direct hit or due to impacts to the shoulder from a force of falling on outstretched arms. 

Figure 3: Left Clavicle – Inferior Surface

What is Right Clavicle 

As said before, the right clavicle is one of the two clavicles, occurring on the right side of the body. 

What is Left Clavicle 

Similarly, the left clavicle is the second clavicle, occurring on the left side of the body. 

Similarities Between Right and Left Clavicle 

• Right and left clavicles are the two types of clavicles that occur in the human body. 
• They are anatomically and functionally similar. 
• Also, both of them take part in the formation of the shoulder girdle, together with the two scapulae in humans. 

Difference Between Right and Left Clavicle 

• The right clavicle occurs on the right side of the body, while the left clavicle occurs on the left side of the body. Thus, there is no special anatomical or functional difference between the right and the left clavicles. 

Conclusion 

The right clavicle is one of the two clavicles, occurring on the right side of the body. Similarly, the left clavicle is the second clavicle, occurring on the left side of the body. However, both right and the left clavicles are similar, both anatomy-wise and function-wise. Also, both clavicles take part in the formation of the shoulder girdle along with the two scapulae. Therefore, there is no significant difference between right and left clavicle. 

References:

1. Bengochea, Kim. “Clavicle.” Kenhub, Kenhub, 29 Oct. 2019, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “802 Pectoral Girdle” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Gray200” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body Bartleby.com (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia   
3. “Gray201” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body Bartleby.com (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia