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The pectoral muscles, commonly referred to as pecs, are a vital component of the upper body musculature. There are two such muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone) in the human body: the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. The pectoralis major is the largest muscle of the anterior chest wall and has two heads – the clavicular head and the sternal head. The pectoralis minor is located underneath the pectoralis major. Together, these muscles play a crucial role in various movements, including pushing, lifting, and stabilising the shoulders and arms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pectoralis muscle |
| Other names | Pecs |
| Number of muscles | Two on each side of the sternum |
| Muscle types | Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor |
| Muscle shape | Fan-shaped |
| Muscle location | Chest |
| Muscle heads | Clavicular head, Sternal head |
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What You'll Learn
Pectoralis major and minor
The pectoralis muscle is one of the muscles that connect the front walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder. There are two such muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone) in the human body: the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor.
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 pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin. The clavicular head originates from the clavicle, while the sternal head originates from the sternum and the upper ribs. A pectoralis major tendon rupture is a rare shoulder injury, most commonly seen in weight lifters.
The pectoralis minor is located beneath the pectoralis major. It is a thin, triangular muscle that originates from the third, fourth and fifth ribs and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula. The pectoralis minor helps to stabilise the scapula and also assists in breathing.
Both the pectoralis major and minor play a crucial role in various movements, including pushing, lifting, and stabilising the shoulders and arms. They are a vital component of the upper body musculature.
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Orthopedic health
The pectoral muscles, commonly referred to as pecs, are a vital component of the upper body musculature. They play a crucial role in various movements, including pushing, lifting, and stabilizing the shoulders and arms.
There are two pectoral muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone) in the human body: the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. 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 pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin. The clavicular head originates from the clavicle, while the sternal head originates from the sternum and the upper ribs.
The pectoralis minor is a smaller muscle located beneath the pectoralis major. It is a thin, triangular muscle that originates from the upper ribs and inserts into the scapula.
Maintaining good orthopedic health of the pectoral muscles is important for overall upper body health and function. This includes proper stretching and strengthening exercises to promote flexibility and stability. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the risk of injury, particularly with the pectoralis major tendon rupture, which is a rare shoulder injury most commonly seen in weight lifters. This injury is becoming more prevalent due to the increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles and can occur during exercises such as the bench press when the arm under load is in extension and external rotation. Therefore, it is crucial to practice proper form and technique during weight-bearing exercises to minimize the risk of injury.
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Intercostal muscles
The pectoralis muscle connects the front walls of the chest with the bones of the upper arm and shoulder. There are two such muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone): the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor.
The intercostal muscles are part of the ribcage, linking each rib to its neighbours. They are made up of three layers of muscles: the external, internal, and innermost layer. These muscles work in sets, expanding and shrinking the ribcage to help with breathing.
The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer, lying directly under the skin. They originate from the lower border of the rib above and run obliquely to insert into the upper border of the rib below. They expand the chest wall during inhalation.
The internal intercostal muscles are the intermediate layer, originating from the costal groove near the inferior border of the rib above and inserting into the upper border of the rib below. They help to collapse the lungs during exhalation.
The innermost intercostal muscles support the internal intercostal muscles during exhalation.
Together, the internal and external intercostal muscles work like rowing teams pulling in sync. When you inhale, the external intercostal muscles pull together to expand the rib cage. This increased volume creates suction, pulling air into the lungs.
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Pectoralis major tendon rupture
The pectoral muscles are a vital component of the upper body musculature, comprising the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. 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 pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin.
The pectoralis major tendon rupture is a rare shoulder injury commonly seen in weight lifters. This injury is being seen more regularly due to the increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles. The pectoralis major is a very powerful shoulder muscle during its function as the shoulder adductor, internal rotator, and flexor of the humerus. The tendon rupture occurs when the force applied to the pectoralis major muscle surpasses the strength of its attachment to the bone. The most common type of rupture is when the tendon is torn from the humerus bone. This injury can also occur at the junction of the muscle and tendon (musculo-tendinous junction) or within the muscle belly itself. The pec major muscle is not essential for normal daily shoulder function, but it is important for strenuous activities. Patients who wish to return to active athletic and manual activities are likely to benefit from surgical repair.
The pectoralis major tendon rupture is typically caused by an eccentric contraction, which occurs when the muscle contracts while the muscle is stretching out. This most frequently occurs when the arm is extended and externally (outwardly) rotated, such as during a bench press. Other activities commonly associated with pectoralis major injury include skiing, football, wrestling, and rugby.
Symptoms of a pectoral muscle rupture or tendon rupture include sudden onset of pain in the chest and upper arm, bruising, and weakness.
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Anatomy of the pectoral muscles
The pectoral muscles, commonly referred to as pecs, are a vital component of the upper body musculature. There are two pectoral muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone): the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. These muscles play a crucial role in various movements, including pushing, lifting, and stabilising the shoulders and arms.
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 pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. There are two heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin. The clavicular head originates from the clavicle, while the sternal head originates from the sternum and the upper ribs.
The pectoralis minor is located underneath the pectoralis major. It is a thin, triangular muscle that originates from the upper ribs and inserts into the scapula. The pectoralis minor helps to stabilise the scapula and assists in movements such as shoulder abduction and arm adduction.
The serratus anterior is another muscle on the front of the chest. It moves the scapula forward around the torso, as when throwing a punch. Between the ribs are various groups of intercostal muscles, which help with breathing.
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Frequently asked questions
Pectoral muscles, commonly referred to as pecs, are a vital component of the upper body musculature.
The pectoral muscles are located on the front walls of the chest.
The pectoral muscles play a crucial role in various movements, including pushing, lifting, and stabilising the shoulders and arms.
There are two pectoral muscles on each side of the sternum (breastbone): the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor.
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.
