What is the Difference Between Right and Left Clavicle?

The main difference between the right and left clavicle, or collarbone, lies in their orientation within the body. The right clavicle is located on the right side of the body, while the left clavicle is located on the left side of the body. In general, there is no significant anatomical or functional difference between the right and left clavicles.

Both clavicles serve several important functions:

• They provide rigid support for the scapula and free limb.
• They serve as a strut between the shoulder and the rib cage.
• They connect the shoulder girdle (pectoral bones) to the axial skeleton.

The clavicle, or collarbone, is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long. It is the only long bone in the body that lies horizontally and, together with the shoulder blade (scapula), makes up the shoulder girdle.

Comparative Table: Right vs Left Clavicle

The main difference between the right and left clavicles lies in their structure and muscle attachments. Here is a table comparing the differences between the right and left clavicles:

In summary, the left clavicle tends to be slightly longer and thinner than the right clavicle. Both clavicles have five muscles attached to them, but their distributions differ between the lateral and medial thirds of the bones.