Shoulder abductor muscles

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Warning: No 'path' link found for variable 'ref-lateral-deltoid' in YAML data.
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Table 1: Glenohumeral abductor muscles

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Biceps brachii Long head	Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula Adjacent rim of Glenoid Labrum	Radial tuberosity Bicipital aponeurosis	Musculocutaneous n. C5 - C6	Elbow: Flexion, Supination GHJ: Flexion, Stabilization of humeral head during deltoid contraction, Abduction, IR
Biceps brachii Short head	Coracoid process	Radial tuberosity Bicipital aponeurosis	Musculocutaneous n. C5 - C6	Elbow: Flexion, Supination GHJ: Flexion, Stabilization of humeral head during deltoid contraction, Abduction, IR
Lateral deltoid	Acromion	Deltoid tuberosity of humerus	Axillary n. C5 - C6	GHJ: Abduction
Posterior deltoid	Scapular spine	Deltoid tuberosity of humerus	Axillary n. C5 - C6	GHJ: Extension, ER, Abduction
Supraspinatus	Supraspinous Fossa of scapula	Greater tubercle of Humerus	Suprascapular n. C4 - C6	GHJ: Initiates abduction, Stabilization

Note

When considering shoulder abduction, there is much more to the GHJ than just glenohumeral joint abduction. We must also consider the muscles that cause scapulothoracic upward rotation.