
The deltoid muscle is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder. It is named after the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like an equilateral triangle. The deltoid is attached by tendons to the skeleton at the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone). The deltoid is the common site of intramuscular (IM) injections, which are commonly used to deliver vaccines and drugs in all age groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5mm or more |
| Shape | Rounded, triangular |
| Location | Uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder |
| Attachments | Clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone)> |
| Blood supply | Thoracoacromial artery (acromial and deltoid branches), circumflex humeral arteries, and profunda brachii artery (deltoid branch)> |
| Innervation | Axillary nerve |
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What You'll Learn
- The deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the human shoulder
- The deltoid is made up of three distinct sets of muscle fibres
- The deltoid is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery
- Intramuscular (IM) injections are commonly used to deliver vaccines and drugs
- The deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve

The deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the human shoulder
The deltoid muscle is made up of three distinct sets of muscle fibres, which are called the deltoid's fibres. Electromyography suggests that it consists of at least seven groups that can be independently coordinated by the nervous system. The deltoid is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery (acromial and deltoid branches), the circumflex humeral arteries, and the profunda brachii artery (deltoid branch). It is innervated by the axillary nerve.
The deltoid muscle is commonly used as an intramuscular injection site to deliver vaccines and drugs. Adequate penetration of the muscle for IM injections is defined as penetration of 5 mm or more into the muscle. A standard needle length for a 2 ml syringe is 25 mm, with 3 mm of the needle closest to the hub remaining outside.
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The deltoid is made up of three distinct sets of muscle fibres
The deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the human shoulder. It is also known as the 'common shoulder muscle', particularly in other animals such as the domestic cat. The deltoid muscle is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder. It is named after the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like an equilateral triangle. The deltoid is attached by tendons to the skeleton at the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone). The deltoid is the widest at the top of the shoulder and narrows to its apex as it travels down the arm.
The deltoid insertion is divided into two or three discernible areas corresponding to the muscle's three areas of origin. The insertion is an arch-like structure with strong anterior and posterior fascial connections flanking an intervening tissue bridge. It additionally gives off extensions to the deep brachial fascia. Furthermore, the deltoid fascia contributes to the brachial fascia and is connected to the medial and lateral intermuscular septa.
Intramuscular (IM) injections are commonly used to deliver vaccines and drugs in all age groups. The common sites of IM injections are the deltoid, vastus lateralis, ventro-gluteal and dorso-gluteal muscles. Most vaccines should be given via the IM route into the deltoid or vastus lateralis as this optimises the immunogenicity of the vaccine and minimises adverse reactions at the injection site. Adequate penetration of the muscle for IM injections is defined as penetration of 5 mm or more into the muscle.
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The deltoid is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery
The deltoid muscle is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder. It is named after the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like an equilateral triangle. The deltoid is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery, which gives off four branches to supply the muscles and skin of the pectoral region. The deltoid branch is one of these four arteries, and it supplies the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles. The deltoid branch travels through the pectoralis minor muscle to the cephalic vein, running between the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles and supplying them along the way. The deltoid branch may occasionally arise from the acromial branch of the thoracoacromial artery, which courses over the coracoid process of the scapula and pierces and supplies the deltoid muscle. The deltoid muscle is made up of three distinct sets of muscle fibres, and its fibres are pennate muscle.
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Intramuscular (IM) injections are commonly used to deliver vaccines and drugs
For an ideal IM injection into the deltoid, 3 mm of the needle closest to the hub should remain outside, with a minimum of 5 mm penetration into the deltoid muscle. The needle should be oriented perpendicular to the skin surface at the site of the injection. Adequate penetration of the muscle for IM injections is defined as penetration of 5 mm or more into the muscle. Under-penetration will lead to subcutaneous injection. Over-penetration of deltoid IM injections is likely to be more prevalent as compared to under-penetration. Therefore, the technique of IM injection needs to be modified based on the body type of the individual patient.
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The deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve
The deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the human shoulder. It is also known as the 'common shoulder muscle'. It is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder. It is named after the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like an equilateral triangle.
The deltoid's fibres are pennate muscle. However, electromyography suggests that it consists of at least seven groups that can be independently coordinated by the nervous system. The deltoid is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery (acromial and deltoid branches), the circumflex humeral arteries, and the profunda brachii artery (deltoid branch).
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Frequently asked questions
The deltoid muscle is the muscle forming the rounded contour of the human shoulder. It is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder.
Adequate penetration of the muscle for IM injections is defined as penetration of 5 mm or more into the muscle.
The deltoid muscle is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of the arm and the top of the shoulder. It is named after the Greek letter delta, which is shaped like an equilateral triangle.
The deltoid muscle is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery (acromial and deltoid branches), the circumflex humeral arteries, and the profunda brachii artery (deltoid branch). It is innervated by the axillary nerve.











































