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The supraspinatus muscle is one of four rotator cuff muscles, along with infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. It is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region and is the most superior of the four rotator cuff muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for abduction of the arm and works in cooperation with the deltoid muscle to perform this function. It also provides joint stability and adducts the arm at the shoulder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region |
| Shape | Small and triangular |
| Origin | Medial aspect of the supraspinous fossa |
| Function | Stabilizes the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint, assists in abduction of the arm |
| Innervation | Suprascapular nerve |
| Arterial supply | Suprascapular artery |
| Tendon | Extends laterally, passing under the acromion process and over the head of the humerus |
| Muscle fibers | Converge onto a tendon that runs inferior to the acromion of the scapula |
| Rotator cuff muscle | One of four, along with infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis |
| Most frequently | Torn rotator cuff muscle |
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What You'll Learn
The supraspinatus muscle is one of four rotator cuff muscles
The supraspinatus muscle is one of four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. The other three muscles are the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and hold the bones together. It connects the shoulder blade (scapula) to the upper arm bone (humerus).
The supraspinatus muscle originates above the spine of the scapula and inserts on the greater tuberosity of the humerus. It is the only muscle of the rotator cuff that is not a rotator of the humerus. Instead, it stabilizes the head of the humerus in the shoulder joint and prevents it from slipping out of place. This muscle also helps with abduction (elevation) of the arm and allows it to rotate.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most frequently damaged component of the rotator cuff. Tears in this muscle can be caused by acute injury or gradual degeneration due to age and repetitive overhead activities, especially in athletes. Bad posture is also a leading risk factor for tears. Symptoms of a supraspinatus tear include shoulder pain, arm weakness, and limited motion or function.
To diagnose a rotator cuff injury, a healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. Treatment options include rest, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. It is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any shoulder pain or difficulty moving your arm, as early intervention can help prevent further complications.
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It is the smallest of the four
The supraspinatus muscle is the smallest of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region, extending from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula to the proximal humerus. The supraspinatus muscle is a small, triangular-shaped muscle that originates from the medial aspect of the supraspinous fossa, a concave depression located above the spine of the scapula.
The muscle fibres of the supraspinatus converge onto a tendon that runs inferior to the acromion of the scapula. The tendon passes laterally beneath the cover of the acromion and inserts onto the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The supraspinatus muscle is separated from the coracoacromial ligament, the acromion, and the deltoid muscle by the subacromial bursa.
This muscle plays a crucial role in the movement and stability of the shoulder joint. It performs abduction of the arm, pulling the head of the humerus medially towards the glenoid cavity. The supraspinatus independently prevents the head of the humerus from slipping inferiorly. It works in cooperation with the deltoid muscle to perform abduction, even when the arm is in an adducted position. The deltoid muscle becomes the main propagator of this action beyond 15 degrees of abduction.
The supraspinatus muscle is frequently injured, whether from acute injury or gradual degeneration. Bad posture and age are leading risk factors for tears and chronic pain. Calcification of the supraspinatus tendon is a common cause of shoulder pain and can be effectively treated with arthroscopic surgery.
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It is located deep to the trapezius muscle
The supraspinatus muscle is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region. The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle found on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, the pair of trapezius muscles form a diamond or trapezoid shape, which gives the muscle its name. The supraspinatus muscle is the most superior of the four rotator cuff muscles. It is a small, triangular-shaped muscle that lies in the posterior scapular region, extending from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula to the proximal humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most important muscle of the rotator cuff. It is one of four rotator cuff muscles, including the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle abducts the arm and stabilizes the humeral head in the shoulder joint. It works in cooperation with the deltoid muscle to perform abduction, including when the arm is in an adducted position. The supraspinatus muscle also assists the deltoid muscle in abduction of the arm at the glenohumeral joint.
The supraspinatus muscle is only accessible through the upper trapezius muscle and is identified by flat palpation with sufficient pressure. The supraspinatus muscle originates from the medial aspect of the supraspinous fossa, a concave depression located above the spine of the scapula. The muscle fibres converge onto a tendon that runs inferior to the acromion of the scapula. The supraspinatus tendon inserts onto the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The muscle passes across the superior aspect of the shoulder joint, with the inferior portion of the tendon intimately involved with the joint capsule.
The trapezius muscle, on the other hand, belongs to the superficial layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back. It is largely involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and is therefore functionally considered a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back. The trapezius muscle is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. Instead, motor innervation is conveyed by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves.
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The supraspinatus muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve
The supraspinatus muscle is a small muscle in the upper back that runs from the scapula (shoulder blade) to the humerus. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle assists in the abduction of the arm and helps to stabilise the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint during the movement of the upper limb.
The suprascapular nerve originates from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus in the neck and travels laterally, passing superior to the brachial plexus and through the posterior triangle of the neck. It then traverses the scapular notch and continues through the greater scapular (spinoglenoid) notch before terminating within the infraspinatus muscle.
The supraspinatus muscle can be susceptible to injury, with tears being a common occurrence. Arthroscopic surgery for full-thickness supraspinatus tears has been found to be effective in improving shoulder functionality and reducing pain. However, it is important to consider both operative and non-operative treatments when deciding on a course of treatment.
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It is the primary stabilizer for the humeral head
The supraspinatus muscle is one of four rotator cuff muscles, along with the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. It is a small, triangular-shaped muscle located on the posterior aspect of the scapula. The supraspinatus muscle is particularly important as it is active in any motion involving elevation. Its function is to maintain balance among the other rotator cuff muscles, thereby offering stability to the joint.
The supraspinatus muscle is the primary stabilizer for the humeral head. It achieves this by fixing the head of the humerus firmly against the glenoid fossa or cavity. This action prevents the head of the humerus from slipping inferiorly. The supraspinatus muscle also resists the inferior gravitational forces placed on the shoulder joint due to the downward pull from the weight of the upper limb.
The supraspinatus muscle works in cooperation with the deltoid muscle, which is also a stabilizer of the humeral head, especially when carrying a load. The deltoid muscle is generally accepted as the prime mover for the glenohumeral joint during abduction, along with the supraspinatus muscle. The supraspinatus muscle abducts the arm at the shoulder by compressing the humeral head and stabilizing it at the glenohumeral articulation.
The supraspinatus muscle originates from the medial two-thirds of the supraspinous fossa of the scapula and inserts onto the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The muscle tendon passes laterally beneath the cover of the acromion.
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Frequently asked questions
Supraspinatus is a small muscle at the top of the scapula. It is pronounced suh-pra-spine-ay-tuss.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most important muscle of the rotator cuff. It aids the deltoid muscle in abducting the shoulder by compressing the humeral head and stabilising it at the glenohumeral articulation. It also works with the deltoid muscle to adduct the arm at the shoulder by fixing the head of the humerus firmly against the glenoid fossa.
The supraspinatus muscle is most commonly associated with injuries to the shoulder. The suprascapular nerve, which innervates the supraspinatus, can be damaged in fractures of the overlying clavicle, reducing the person's ability to initiate abduction.
