The purpose is paper was to discuss current concepts related to anatomic stabilizing structures of the shoulder joint complex and their clinical relevance to shoulder instability. The clinical syndrome of shoulder instability represents a wide spectrum of symtoms and signs which may produce various levels of dysfunctions, from subtle subluxations to gross joint instability. The glenohumeral joint attains functional stability through a delicate and intricate interaction between the passive and active stabilizing structures. The passive constraints include the bony geometry, glenoid labrum, and the glenohumeral joint capsuloligaments structure. Conversely, the active constraints, also referred to as active mechanism, include the shoulder complex musculature, the projprioceptive system, and the musculoligamentous relationship. The interaction of the active and passive mechanism which provide passive and active glenohumeral joint stability will be throughtly discussed in this paper