Victor Forge
The pectoralis major muscle can be tested in a number of ways. The two heads of the muscle can be tested separately: the clavicular head can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, and the sternocostal head can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance. The length of the pectoralis major muscle can also be tested by placing the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward). The subject should be in a supine position with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. Another test involves placing the subject's arm in approximately 135 degrees of abduction, with the elbow extended. The shoulder will be in a lateral rotation. If the arm does not drop to table level, this indicates shortness. Muscle strength testing can also be helpful in quantifying pectoralis deficits and monitoring the progress of treatment. The Cruciform Test is a simple diagnostic tool that can be used to detect a pectoralis major rupture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Position | Supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table |
| Examiner's position | Standing at the test side |
| Patient's position | Elbow flexed to 90° & shoulder abducted to either 60°, 90° or 120° depending on desired target fibres to be tested |
| Examiner's action | Places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward) |
| Normal length | Full horizontal abduction with lateral rotation, the arm flat on the table without trunk rotation |
| Shortness | The extended arm does not drop down to table level |
Explore related products
$91.73 $120.99
What You'll Learn
Testing the length of the pectoralis major muscle
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin.
To test the length of the pectoralis major muscle, the subject should be positioned supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. The examiner places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward).
If the arm drops to table level, with the low back remaining flat on the table, the pectoralis major is of normal length. If the extended arm does not drop down to table level, the muscle is short.
The two heads of the pectoralis major muscle can be tested separately. The clavicular head of pectoralis major can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The sternocostal head of pectoralis major can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can also be seen and palpated.
Relieving Muscle Soreness: Effective Strategies for Quick Recovery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Clavicular head of pectoralis major
The pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla. The pectoralis major is divided into two heads: the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin. The clavicular head originates from the anterior surface of the medial clavicle, while the sternocostal head originates from the anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages and the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle.
The two heads of the pectoralis major muscle can be tested separately. The clavicular head of pectoralis major can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The subject is positioned supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. The examiner holds the opposite shoulder firmly on the table, while the triceps maintains the elbow on the extension. The test starts with the elbow extended and the shoulder in 90-degree flexion and slight medial rotation. The humerus is then horizontally adducted towards the sternal end of the clavicle.
The sternocostal head of pectoralis major can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can also be seen and palpated.
The pectoralis major muscle can also be tested for length. The subject is positioned supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. The examiner places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward). If the muscle is the correct length, the arm should drop to table level, with the low back remaining flat on the table. If the muscle is short, the extended arm will not drop down to table level.
Waist Training: Friend or Foe to Core Muscles?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sternocostal head of pectoralis major
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue. There are two heads of the pectoralis major: the clavicular and the sternocostal.
The sternocostal head of pectoralis major can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The patient should be supine with the elbow flexed to 90° and the shoulder abducted to 120°. The therapist is standing at the test side and the patient actively horizontally adducts the shoulder through the full available range.
The examiner holds the opposite shoulder firmly on the table. The triceps maintain the elbow on the extension. Starting with the elbow extended and with the shoulder in 90-degree flexion and slight medial rotation, the humerus is horizontally adducted towards the sternal end of the clavicle.
The length of the pectoralis major muscle can also be tested. The patient is supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. The examiner places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward). In this position, the tendon of pectoralis major at the sternum should not be found to be unduly tense, even with maximum abduction of the arm, unless the muscle is short.
ML Per Muscle: Optimizing Injections for Bodybuilding Results
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pectoralis major tendon rupture
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin.
The two heads of pectoralis major muscle can be tested separately. The clavicular head of pectoralis major can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The sternocostal head of pectoralis major can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can also be seen and palpated.
To test the length of the pectoralis major muscle, the subject should be positioned supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. The examiner places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward). In this position, the tendon of pectoralis major at the sternum should not be found to be unduly tense, even with maximum abduction of the arm, unless the muscle is short. If the muscle is short, the extended arm will not drop down to table level.
The pectoralis major tendon rupture is a rare shoulder injury, most commonly seen in weight lifters. This injury is becoming more common due to the increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles.
Building a Lower Chest: Techniques for a Fuller Look
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Exercises to strengthen the pectoralis major muscle
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue. There are two heads of the pectoralis major: the clavicular and the sternocostal.
The two heads of the pectoralis major muscle can be tested separately. The clavicular head can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The sternocostal head can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated.
The following exercises can help strengthen the pectoralis major muscle:
- Push-ups
- Barbell bench press
- Dumbbell fly
Understanding Muscle Knots: Causes and Prevention
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The pectoralis major is the superior most and largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla.
The subject lies supine with their knees bent and their low back flat on the table. The examiner places the subject's arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward).
The arm should drop to table level, with the low back remaining flat on the table.
The extended arm will not drop down to table level.
The clavicular head can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can be seen and palpated. The sternocostal head can be tested by adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which it can also be seen and palpated.
