we will discuss the anatomy and function of the shoulder muscles.
Many muscles are involved in the movement and support of the shoulder.
The main group of muscles is known as the rotator cuff.
I will briefly list the muscles of the shoulder joint.
The rotator cuff consists of the four following muscles:
the supraspinatus…
the infraspinatus…
the teres minor…
and the subscapularis.
The main function of this group of muscles is to stabilize and center the humeral head
in the joint socket called the glenoid cavity.
In addition, the muscles tighten the joint capsule to prevent a pinch during shoulder
movements.
The rotator cuff, as the name suggests, plays a major role in the internal and external
rotation of the upper arm in the shoulder joint.
Around the rotator cuff are many muscles that contribute to shoulder movement.
The deltoid, superior to the shoulder joint, forms the shape of the superior aspect of
the shoulder and work with the supraspinatus to abduct the arm.
Anteriorly, the coracobrachialis,
serratus anterior…
pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor
work together to flex and adduct the scapula andhumerus.
The latissimus dorsi and teres major lie posteriorly and adduct the arm towards the back.
The trapezius, rhomboid major, and the levator scapula muscles elevate the scapula to cause
shrugging of the shoulders and the movement of the scapula to the posterior.
