USA AAO UPPER 2025
EXTREMITY EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
When the shoulder joint flexes, what does the shoulder girdle do? How about
extension? Hyperextend? - ANSWERS-Extension: Downward rotation
Flexion: Upward rotation
Hyperextension: Scapular tilt
QUESTION 2
When the shoulder joint ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do? How about
adduction? - ANSWERS-ABduction: Upward rotation
Adduction: Downward rotation
QUESTION 3
When the shoulder joint medially rotates, what does the shoulder girdle do? How
about lateral rotation? - ANSWERS-Medial Rotation: Protraction
Lateral Rotation: Retraction
END OF
PAGE 1
, USA AAO UPPER 2025
EXTREMITY EXAM
QUESTION 4
When the shoulder joint horizontally ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do?
How about horizontal adduction? - ANSWERS-Horizontal ABduction: Retraction
Horizontal Adduction: Protraction
QUESTION 5
What is scapulohumeral rhythm? - ANSWERS-First 30 degrees are pure shoulder
joint motion. After those 30 degrees, there is a 2:1 ratio.
QUESTION 6
If someone has 120 degrees of motion in their shoulder, how many degrees is
scapula motion and how many are humerus? 150 degrees? 180 degrees? -
ANSWERS-120* = 90* humerus + 30* scapula
150* = 110* humerus + 40* scapula
180* = 130* humerus + 50* of scapula
Notice how the humerus degrees are increasing by 20*, while the scapula degrees
are increasing by 10*. This is that 2:1 ratio!:)
END OF
PAGE 2
, USA AAO UPPER 2025
EXTREMITY EXAM
QUESTION 7
If you round your shoulders/slouch, what happens to the scapula, rhomboids,
middle trapezius, pectoralis minor, and coracoid? - ANSWERS-Scapula is pulled
into protraction
Rhomboids and middle trapezius in stretched position
Pectoralis minor is slack
Coracoid moves anteriorly and rips over time
QUESTION 8
What is a force couple? Example? - ANSWERS-Muscles pull in opposite
directions to complete on motion
Ex. Biceps and triceps for elbow flexion and extension. If you need further
explanation, then look it up, and google images has some good examples!
QUESTION 9
What is reverse muscle action? Example? - ANSWERS-If insertion is stabilized,
then origin moves toward the insertion
Ex. lower trap & pec. minor move the body upward when stabilized by axillary
crutches instead of depression.
END OF
PAGE 3
EXTREMITY EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
When the shoulder joint flexes, what does the shoulder girdle do? How about
extension? Hyperextend? - ANSWERS-Extension: Downward rotation
Flexion: Upward rotation
Hyperextension: Scapular tilt
QUESTION 2
When the shoulder joint ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do? How about
adduction? - ANSWERS-ABduction: Upward rotation
Adduction: Downward rotation
QUESTION 3
When the shoulder joint medially rotates, what does the shoulder girdle do? How
about lateral rotation? - ANSWERS-Medial Rotation: Protraction
Lateral Rotation: Retraction
END OF
PAGE 1
, USA AAO UPPER 2025
EXTREMITY EXAM
QUESTION 4
When the shoulder joint horizontally ABducts, what does the shoulder girdle do?
How about horizontal adduction? - ANSWERS-Horizontal ABduction: Retraction
Horizontal Adduction: Protraction
QUESTION 5
What is scapulohumeral rhythm? - ANSWERS-First 30 degrees are pure shoulder
joint motion. After those 30 degrees, there is a 2:1 ratio.
QUESTION 6
If someone has 120 degrees of motion in their shoulder, how many degrees is
scapula motion and how many are humerus? 150 degrees? 180 degrees? -
ANSWERS-120* = 90* humerus + 30* scapula
150* = 110* humerus + 40* scapula
180* = 130* humerus + 50* of scapula
Notice how the humerus degrees are increasing by 20*, while the scapula degrees
are increasing by 10*. This is that 2:1 ratio!:)
END OF
PAGE 2
, USA AAO UPPER 2025
EXTREMITY EXAM
QUESTION 7
If you round your shoulders/slouch, what happens to the scapula, rhomboids,
middle trapezius, pectoralis minor, and coracoid? - ANSWERS-Scapula is pulled
into protraction
Rhomboids and middle trapezius in stretched position
Pectoralis minor is slack
Coracoid moves anteriorly and rips over time
QUESTION 8
What is a force couple? Example? - ANSWERS-Muscles pull in opposite
directions to complete on motion
Ex. Biceps and triceps for elbow flexion and extension. If you need further
explanation, then look it up, and google images has some good examples!
QUESTION 9
What is reverse muscle action? Example? - ANSWERS-If insertion is stabilized,
then origin moves toward the insertion
Ex. lower trap & pec. minor move the body upward when stabilized by axillary
crutches instead of depression.
END OF
PAGE 3
