A shoulder separation is an injury to the acromioclavicular joint. A first degree separation involves stretching the ligaments, but maintenance of the joint. A second degree separation involves tearing of the joint capsule and coracoclavicular ligament, but still continuity. A third degree separation involves total disruption of the joint and the coracoclavicular ligament. Since the patient has a third degree shoulder separation, you know he must have torn his coracoclavicular ligament. The coracoacromial ligament contributes to the stability of the acromioclavicular joint, but damaging this ligament is not the hallmark of a third degree shoulder separation. The costoclavicular ligament connects the first rib to the clavicle. The superior glenohumeral ligament contributes to the stability of the shoulder joint, but not to the stability of the acromioclavicular joint. The transverse humeral ligament holds the tendon of the long head of the biceps in place in the inteubercular groove.