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The supraspinatus is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region and is part of the rotator cuff muscle group. It is the most frequently torn muscle of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. The supraspinatus muscle arises from the supraspinous fossa, a shallow depression in the body of the scapula above its spine. The supraspinatus muscle tendon passes laterally beneath the cover of the acromion and over the head of the humerus. Pain from this muscle is often felt on the outside of the shoulder and upper arm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Group | Rotator Cuff |
| Muscle Location | Shoulder |
| Muscle Function | Abduction of the arm at the shoulder joint |
| Muscle Innervation | Suprascapular nerve |
| Muscle Blood Supply | Poor |
| Muscle Healing | Slow |
| Muscle Injury | Most commonly torn muscle in the rotator cuff group |
| Muscle Tendinitis | Supraspinatus tendinitis |
| Muscle Syndrome | Exertional Supraspinatus Syndrome |
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What You'll Learn
The supraspinatus muscle is part of the rotator cuff
The supraspinatus muscle is indeed part of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. It helps to move and rotate the arm and shoulder. The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are often referred to as SITS, which stands for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles are deep within the shoulder, underneath the deltoid muscle. They work together to stabilise the shoulder joint and allow for a wide range of movements.
The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa, a shallow depression in the body of the scapula (shoulder blade) above its spine. The muscle tendon passes laterally beneath the cover of the acromion and inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus. Contraction of the supraspinatus muscle leads to abduction of the arm at the shoulder joint. It is the main agonist muscle for this movement during the first 15 degrees of its arc. After the first 15 degrees, the deltoid muscle takes over as the primary mover.
The supraspinatus muscle is supplied by the suprascapular nerve (C5 and C6), which arises from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. This nerve passes laterally through the posterior triangle of the neck and through the scapular notch on the superior border of the scapula. After supplying fibres to the supraspinatus muscle, the suprascapular nerve supplies articular branches to the capsule of the shoulder joint. Injury to this nerve can reduce a person's ability to abduct their arm.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most commonly torn muscle in the rotator cuff group. Tears can occur due to sudden forceful movements of the upper limb, which can cause the tendon to rupture. Impingement syndrome, also known as rotator cuff tendinitis, can also develop in the supraspinatus tendon due to a thickened tendon or inflammation of the overlying bursa, leading to an enlargement that compresses the subacromial space. This condition can cause chronic pain and may require surgery if left untreated.
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It is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region
The supraspinatus muscle is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region. It is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, along with the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus is the most superior of these four muscles and is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region. It originates from the supraspinous fossa, a shallow depression in the body of the scapula above its spine, and attaches to the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle performs abduction of the arm at the shoulder joint, working in cooperation with the deltoid muscle. It is the main agonist muscle for this movement during the first 15 degrees of its arc. Beyond this point, the deltoid muscle becomes more effective and takes over as the primary mover. The supraspinatus also assists in stabilizing the shoulder joint by keeping the head of the humerus firmly pressed medially against the glenoid fossa of the scapula.
The supraspinatus tendon is inserted into the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The supraspinatus muscle and tendon pass deep to the acromion process to insert onto the superior facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The tendon of the supraspinatus is separated from the coracoacromial ligament, the acromion, and the deltoid muscle by the subacromial bursa.
The supraspinatus muscle is supplied by the suprascapular nerve (C5 and C6), which arises from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. It receives arterial supply from the suprascapular artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery. The suprascapular nerve can be damaged in fractures of the overlying clavicle, reducing the person's ability to initiate abduction of the arm. Calcification and inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon are also common causes of shoulder pain and may require surgery to treat.
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The supraspinatus tendon can become inflamed, leading to tendonitis
The supraspinatus muscle is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region. It is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, along with the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The supraspinatus muscle arises from the supraspinous fossa, a shallow depression in the body of the scapula above its spine, and its tendon passes laterally beneath the cover of the acromion. The supraspinatus tendon is inserted into the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for abduction of the arm at the shoulder joint. It is the main agonist muscle for this movement during the first 15 degrees of its arc. After this point, the deltoid muscle takes over as the primary mover. The supraspinatus also helps to stabilize the shoulder joint by keeping the head of the humerus firmly pressed medially against the glenoid fossa of the scapula.
Supraspinatus tendonitis can result from a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors include primary impingement due to increased subacromial loading, and secondary impingement caused by rotator cuff overload and muscle imbalance. Intrinsic factors may include genetic predispositions, as suggested by some studies. Abnormalities in the supraspinatus outlet, such as variations in acromial size and shape, have also been identified as a cause of impingement syndrome and subsequent tendonitis.
The condition can be diagnosed through a physical examination, imaging techniques, and, in some cases, a neurovascular exam. Treatment options may include early anti-inflammatories, injections for persistent cases, and advanced imaging (MRI) for prolonged cases. Surgery may be necessary if there is a significant tear or degeneration of the tissue. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical advice and undergo a Total Body Wellness Assessment before starting a new exercise program to prevent and manage supraspinatus tendonitis effectively.
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The supraspinatus is the most frequently torn muscle of the rotator cuff
The supraspinatus is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff, along with the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. It is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region, allowing for the rotation and lifting of the arm. The supraspinatus muscle arises from the supraspinous fossa, a shallow depression in the body of the scapula, and attaches to the greater tubercle of the humerus.
There are several reasons why the supraspinatus is the most commonly torn muscle of the rotator cuff. One reason is its location. The supraspinatus tendon can become impinged at the acromion due to a thickened tendon or inflammation of the overlying bursa, leading to an enlargement that compresses the subacromial space. Additionally, the supraspinatus muscle does not have a great natural blood supply, which can cause partial tears to persist without healing.
The tendon of the supraspinatus can also become inflamed, leading to supraspinatus tendinitis, which is often associated with shoulder impingement syndrome. This can be caused by a tight shoulder or improper exercise of the rotator cuff muscles, resulting in the tendon becoming irritated and, over time, chronically inflamed. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the damage.
It is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing shoulder pain or arm weakness, as rotator cuff injuries can be serious and require proper diagnosis and treatment.
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It is a slow healer, requiring regular rehab post-surgery
The supraspinatus muscle is located at the back of the shoulder and is one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. It is the most frequently damaged tendon and is often ruptured in sports that involve sudden, forceful movements of the upper limb. A supraspinatus tear can occur due to trauma or repeated micro-trauma and can present as a partial or full-thickness tear. The former causes incomplete disruption to the muscle fibres, while the latter provokes a complete disruption.
If left untreated, a supraspinatus tear can lead to chronic inflammation and degenerative tears. In some cases, surgery may be the only option to fix the tear. However, it is important to note that the supraspinatus muscle is a slow healer, and even with surgery, it requires regular rehab post-surgery. Patients should be prepared for a long recovery process, which includes several phases of treatment.
The first phase of treatment is immobilization, where the patient may be advised to wear a sling to relieve pain and avoid further injury. This is followed by passive and assisted range-of-motion exercises, such as pendulum exercises, to maintain the range of motion in the shoulder. The third phase involves progressive resistance exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles.
Regular rehab is crucial for the recovery process, and patients should be committed to their home exercise programs and proper ergonomics. In addition to physical therapy, modalities such as ultrasound, cryotherapy, hyperthermia, and electrical nerve stimulation can be used adjunctively to aid in the healing process.
Overall, the recovery process for a supraspinatus tear can be lengthy and challenging, requiring patience and dedication from the patient.
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Frequently asked questions
The supraspinatus muscle is an intrinsic muscle of the shoulder region. It is part of the rotator cuff muscle group, which acts to stabilise the shoulder joint.
The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for the abduction of the upper limb at the shoulder joint. It is the main agonist muscle for this movement during the first 15 degrees of its arc.
Injury to the supraspinatus muscle can result in pain on the outside of the shoulder and upper arm. It is prone to tears, which may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Tears in the supraspinatus muscle can be caused by overuse, sudden forceful movements, or a lack of exercise of the rotator cuff muscles. It is the most frequently torn muscle of the rotator cuff group.
