The humeroscapular joint is used as an example to illustrate some aspects of an analytical technique for studying the kinematics of human joints. Coordinates of attachment points for muscles and ligaments on the humerus and scapula of a human skeleton were measured on an automated coordinate measuring machine. Coordinates of points on the contact areas between the glenoid cavity and the humeral head were measured to determine and ensure the sphericity of the joint. Muscle and ligament lengths were also measured on a cadaver of similar dimensions to the skeleton. The data were then used to determine the range of motion of the humeroscapular joint by considering the intersections of spheres mapped onto a plane. It is shown that the glenohumeral ligament limits flexion while the coracohumeral ligament and supraspinatus muscle limit abduction. It is also shown that the coracoacromial ligament does not limit the motion of the humerus before the scapula gets involved in the motion of the shoulder complex.

Chiropractic and medical colleges have experienced a significant increase in the number of female applicants in recent years, a percentage of whom are pregnant or become pregnant following admission. It is therefore important to ask the question: How do institutions that educate future health care providers address the issue of pregnancy and the gross anatomy laboratory? A survey instrument was developed and pretested. IRB approval was obtained. The administrators charged with overseeing the policies and practices for the gross anatomy laboratory at each of the 16 chiropractic colleges in the USA were identified and contacted. An email containing a link to the Web based survey was sent to each, using SurveyMonkey. The survey response rate was 100%. A majority of colleges (69%) have a written policy regarding pregnancy and the gross laboratory. Of these, 36% allow pregnant students to take the laboratory if a waiver is signed, 18% do not allow them to take the laboratory, 18% allow them to take it without a waiver, and 27% have other policies. In cases where students do not take the gross laboratory while pregnant, 64% of colleges require them to take the laboratory after completion of their pregnancy, 27% require them to complete an alternative (dry) laboratory, and 9% have other policies. Considerable diversity exists in the way colleges address this issue. It is at present unknown whether pregnant students or their fetuses are at any risk from laboratory chemicals. Risk assessment research is needed before consistent policies can be developed.