Shoulder and
arm
Muscle Origin Insertion Action Notes
Deltoid Lateral one-third Deltoid tuberosity Abduct the shoulder Origin is
of clavicle, of humerus joint identical to the
acromion and insertion of the
spine of scapula Posterior fibers trapezius.
extend and laterally
rotate shoulder.
Anterior fibers flex
and medially rotate
the shoulder.
Supraspinatus Supraspinatus Greater tubercle Abducts the Deep to
fossa of scapula of humerus – humerus; stabilizes trapezius-runs
"Rotator cuff" superior facet head of humerus in underneath the
glenoid cavity. acromion.(only
rotator cuff
Medially rotates muscle that
humerus, draws it doesn't rotate)
forward and down
when arm is raised.
Infraspinatus Infraspinous Greater tubercle Laterally rotate, Attaches just
fossa of scapula of humerus – adducts, extends the posterior to the
"Rotator cuff" middle facet shoulder. Stabilizes supraspinatus on
head of humerus in the greater
glenoid cavity tubercle.
Works with teres
minor.
Teres Minor Superior half of Greater tubercle Laterally rotates,
lateral border of of humerus, adducts, extends the
" Rotator cuff" scapula lowest facet shoulder, stabilizes
head of humerus in
glenoid cavity
Subscapularis Subscapular fossa Lesser tubercle of Medially rotates Most often the
of the scapula the humerus shoulder joint, culprit in "frozen
"Rotator Cuff" stabilizes head of shoulder"
humerus in glenoid
cavity.
Teres Major Inferior angle of Medial lip of Adducts and
scapula bicipital grove of medially rotates
humerus humerus and draws it
back.
Serratus Anterior Outer surface of Anterior medial Abducts and Lower fibers
ribs 1-8 border of scapula upwardly rotates interdigitate with
arm
Muscle Origin Insertion Action Notes
Deltoid Lateral one-third Deltoid tuberosity Abduct the shoulder Origin is
of clavicle, of humerus joint identical to the
acromion and insertion of the
spine of scapula Posterior fibers trapezius.
extend and laterally
rotate shoulder.
Anterior fibers flex
and medially rotate
the shoulder.
Supraspinatus Supraspinatus Greater tubercle Abducts the Deep to
fossa of scapula of humerus – humerus; stabilizes trapezius-runs
"Rotator cuff" superior facet head of humerus in underneath the
glenoid cavity. acromion.(only
rotator cuff
Medially rotates muscle that
humerus, draws it doesn't rotate)
forward and down
when arm is raised.
Infraspinatus Infraspinous Greater tubercle Laterally rotate, Attaches just
fossa of scapula of humerus – adducts, extends the posterior to the
"Rotator cuff" middle facet shoulder. Stabilizes supraspinatus on
head of humerus in the greater
glenoid cavity tubercle.
Works with teres
minor.
Teres Minor Superior half of Greater tubercle Laterally rotates,
lateral border of of humerus, adducts, extends the
" Rotator cuff" scapula lowest facet shoulder, stabilizes
head of humerus in
glenoid cavity
Subscapularis Subscapular fossa Lesser tubercle of Medially rotates Most often the
of the scapula the humerus shoulder joint, culprit in "frozen
"Rotator Cuff" stabilizes head of shoulder"
humerus in glenoid
cavity.
Teres Major Inferior angle of Medial lip of Adducts and
scapula bicipital grove of medially rotates
humerus humerus and draws it
back.
Serratus Anterior Outer surface of Anterior medial Abducts and Lower fibers
ribs 1-8 border of scapula upwardly rotates interdigitate with
