Rotator Cuff Muscles

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Schematic of Rotator Cuff Muscles (anterior view)¹
1: Supraspinatus
2: Infraspinatus
3: Teres Minor

Schematic of Rotator Cuff Muscles (posterior view)¹
4: Subscapularis

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Infraspinatus	Infraspinous Fossa of Scapula	Greater tubercle of Humerus	Suprascapular n. C4 - C6	GHJ: ER, Stabilization
Subscapularis	Subscapular fossa	Lesser tubercle of Humerus	Upper Subscapular n. Lower Subscapular n. C5 - C6	GHJ: IR, Stabilization
Supraspinatus	Supraspinous Fossa of scapula	Greater tubercle of Humerus	Suprascapular n. C4 - C6	GHJ: Initiates abduction, Stabilization
Teres minor		Greater tubercle of Humerus	Axillary n. C5 - C6	GHJ: ER, Weak adduction

Function

The RTC contributes to movement, stability, and sensorimotor control of the G-H joint²

Special tests

• Drop Arm (Codman’s) Test

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.