OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

The shoulder bone is known as the scapula. It is a flat, triangular bone located in the upper back and plays a crucial role in the structure and function of the shoulder joint. The scapula serves as the attachment point for numerous muscles that allow for the movement of the shoulder and arm. Additionally, it articulates with the humerus at the glenohumeral joint, forming a vital connection for upper limb mobility.

The options that do not refer to the shoulder bone serve distinct purposes in the body. The patella, for instance, is the kneecap located in the front of the knee joint, providing protection and leverage for leg movement. The sternum, or breastbone, is located in the center of the chest and connects to the ribs, playing a key role in the ribcage structure and protecting vital organs like the heart and lungs. The clavicle, while associated with the shoulder area and commonly referred to as the collarbone, is not the shoulder bone itself; instead, it connects the arm to the body and helps stabilize the scapula. Thus, the scapula remains the specific term for the shoulder bone in anatomical terminology.