The shoulder joint ([no-glossary]glenohumeral joint[/no-glossary]) is made up of a ball and socket joint. The flat bone of the socket has surrounding tissue called the labrum. The labrum gives it the extra depth it needs to help hold the ball in the socket. [no-glossary]Ligaments[/no-glossary] of the joint [no-glossary]capsule[/no-glossary] provide additional support.

When the ball comes out of the socket during a dislocation, a portion of the labrum is torn or separated from the socket. This is called a Bankart tear or SLAP lesion, with the name depending on the location of the tear. In addition, the [no-glossary]capsule[/no-glossary] may become stretched.

• A dislocated shoulder happens when a strong force or extreme shoulder rotation pulls the "ball" of the upper arm bone out of the socket. About 90% of all shoulder dislocations are this form of injury, called "anterior dislocation" because the top of the bone slips out in front of the shoulder joint.
• If the dislocation is partial, it's called subluxation. The joint is loose and may slide partially out of place. In this case, the labrum may still be attached, but the [no-glossary]capsule[/no-glossary] is stretched out.