Nerves to the shoulder joint were studied in human fetuses following silver stains and reconstructions from serial sections. From 9 to 10 twigs arise from the axillary, subscapular, musculo-cutaneous, and suprascapular nerves. Branches of the first 3 of these nerves supply the anterior aspect of the capsule while the posterior aspect receives branches from the axillary and supras capular. The glenoid labrum is supplied by all 4 of the above mentioned nerves. Segmental innervation of the joint is through one or more of roots C4 - C7.