Final answer:
The coracoclavicular ligament is the connective tissue structure that joins the coracoid process of the scapula to the clavicle, playing a crucial role in shoulder joint stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ligament that joins the coracoid process of the scapula to the clavicle is the coracoclavicular ligament.
This ligament is a strong band of connective tissue that anchors the coracoid process of the scapula to the lateral clavicle. The coracoid process is a short, hook-like structure that projects anteriorly and laterally from the superior margin of the scapula, located beneath the lateral end of the clavicle. The coracoclavicular ligament serves a critical role in stabilizing the acromioclavicular joint by providing indirect support, which is especially important during movement of the upper limb.
The acromioclavicular joint is the articulation between the acromion of the scapula and the acromial end of the clavicle. The clavicle itself is an elongated bone that connects the upper limb to the axial skeleton at the sternoclavicular joint. The robust nature of the coracoclavicular ligament makes it essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the shoulder girdle and for the proper function of the shoulder joint.