Dominic Stone
The supraspinatus muscle is one of four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is the smallest and most superiorly located of the four, with the other three being the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for abduction of the arm and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the shoulder joint. It is also the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle and is susceptible to trauma and overuse injuries. The muscle's origin is from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, and it inserts into the upper facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Supraspinatus fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine |
| Muscle Architecture | Fusiform, circumpennate, anterior and posterior muscle bellies |
| Function | Abduction of the humerus, stabilization of the glenohumeral joint, abduction of the arm |
| Innervation | Suprascapular nerve |
| Arterial Supply | Suprascapular artery, dorsal scapular artery |
| Veins | Subclavian vein |
| Tendons | Anterior tendon, posterior tendon |
| Tests for Impingement | Empty Can Test, Full Can Test |
| Injuries | Supraspinatus tear, tendonitis, calcification of tendon |
| Associated Pathologies | Acromial impingement, frozen shoulder, poor sleep |
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What You'll Learn
- The supraspinatus muscle is one of the four rotator cuff muscles
- It is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle
- The muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve
- The supraspinatus muscle is located deep to the trapezius muscle
- Calcification of the supraspinatus tendon is a major contributor to shoulder pain
The supraspinatus muscle is one of the four rotator cuff muscles
The supraspinatus muscle is one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is the smallest of the four and is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region. The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, which is a concave depression located above the spine of the scapula. The tendon of the supraspinatus muscle extends laterally, passing under the acromion process and over the head of the humerus. It blends into the glenohumeral joint capsule and inserts into the superior facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most superiorly located of the rotator cuff muscles and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint. It works in coordination with the other three rotator cuff muscles, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, to provide dynamic stabilization for the joint. This stabilization helps to maintain the structural integrity of the joint and prevent injuries. The supraspinatus muscle is also involved in the abduction of the arm, assisting the deltoid muscle in this movement. It is responsible for the first 10 to 15 degrees of abduction, after which the deltoid muscle becomes the primary mover.
The supraspinatus muscle is susceptible to injuries and is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle. Bad posture, overuse, and age are leading risk factors for tears and other types of trauma to this muscle. Calcification of the supraspinatus tendon is a common issue that often contributes to shoulder pain and can be treated with arthroscopic procedures. The supraspinatus muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve and receives its arterial supply from the suprascapular artery, a branch of the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery.
The health and proper functioning of the supraspinatus muscle are crucial for maintaining shoulder stability and preventing pain and injury. The Empty Can Test and the Full Can Test are commonly used orthopedic examinations to assess the integrity of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon. These tests help identify any issues or weaknesses in the muscle and guide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategies.
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It is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle
The supraspinatus is the smallest of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is the most superiorly located of the rotator cuff muscles, residing in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine. The tendon of the muscle extends laterally, passing under the acromion process and over the head of the humerus. It blends into the glenohumeral joint capsule to insert onto the superior facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle. This is because it is the most superiorly located of the rotator cuff muscles, and its tendon is subjected to high levels of stress. The supraspinatus tendon is also involved in many activities throughout the day, and it is susceptible to fraying and tearing due to overuse and repetitive stress. Rotator cuff tears are common among athletes, especially those who play contact sports or engage in activities such as baseball, tennis, rowing, and weightlifting. The risk of rotator cuff tears also increases with age due to the decrease in blood supply to the tendons.
The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for abduction of the humerus, which may contribute weakly to the lateral rotation of the humerus. It assists in lifting and rotating the arm. The muscle also plays a role in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint during the movement of the upper limb.
A torn rotator cuff can weaken the shoulder, causing pain and difficulty in performing daily activities such as combing hair or getting dressed. Treatment options for a torn rotator cuff include surgery to re-attach the tendon to the head of the humerus. However, there are also non-surgical options available, and the best course of treatment will depend on the individual's health needs.
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The muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve
The supraspinatus muscle is the most superiorly located of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. It is a small, triangular-shaped muscle that resides in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine. The supraspinatus muscle plays a crucial role in the dynamic stabilization of the glenohumeral joint, along with the other rotator cuff muscles.
After branching from the brachial plexus, the suprascapular nerve travels alongside the suprascapular artery and vein. It courses laterally, passing deep to the trapezius muscle and along the superior border of the scapula. The nerve then enters the supraspinous fossa through the suprascapular notch, located inferior to the superior transverse scapular ligament.
Within the supraspinous fossa, the suprascapular nerve gives off two branches to the supraspinatus muscle. These branches provide essential motor innervation, enabling the muscle to function properly. The nerve then continues its course by passing through the spinoglenoid notch at the lateral border of the scapula spine and enters the infraspinous fossa, where it provides additional branches to the infraspinatus muscle.
The suprascapular nerve plays a crucial role in the functioning of the supraspinatus muscle. Any injury or compression of this nerve can lead to suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, resulting in shoulder pain and muscular atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Therefore, the health and integrity of the suprascapular nerve are vital for the proper functioning of the supraspinatus muscle and overall shoulder joint movement.
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The supraspinatus muscle is located deep to the trapezius muscle
The supraspinatus muscle is one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is the smallest and most superiorly located of these four muscles, which include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is located deep to the trapezius muscle in the posterior scapular region, extending from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula to the proximal humerus. It is a small, triangular-shaped muscle, situated on the posterior aspect of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine and infraspinatus muscle.
The supraspinatus muscle plays a crucial role in shoulder joint stability and movement. It assists in the abduction of the arm, which involves lifting the arm away from the body. During abduction, the supraspinatus muscle works in coordination with the deltoid muscle to compress and stabilise the head of the humerus at the glenohumeral articulation. This stabilisation prevents the head of the humerus from slipping inferiorly and avoids impingement of the rotator cuff between the humeral head and the undersurface of the acromion.
The supraspinatus muscle also contributes to the dynamic stabilisation of the glenohumeral joint, working in conjunction with the other three rotator cuff muscles. This stabilisation helps to maintain the structural integrity of the joint and resist the gravitational forces placed on the shoulder joint due to the weight of the upper limb. Additionally, the supraspinatus muscle may weakly contribute to the lateral rotation of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is susceptible to injuries and is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle. Calcification and tears of the supraspinatus tendon can cause significant shoulder pain and affect shoulder functionality. Bad posture and age are leading risk factors for supraspinatus injuries, which can result in asymptomatic or symptomatic tears, as well as associated pathologies such as acromial impingement, frozen shoulder, and poor sleep on the affected side.
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Calcification of the supraspinatus tendon is a major contributor to shoulder pain
The supraspinatus muscle is the smallest of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is located deep to the trapezius muscle and superior to the spine of the scapula and infraspinatus muscle. The supraspinatus muscle is involved in the abduction of the arm and may contribute to the lateral rotation of the humerus. It is also responsible for stabilising the glenohumeral joint during the movement of the upper limb.
Calcific tendinopathy (CT) of the shoulder is a common and painful condition caused by calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons. It usually results in shoulder pain and decreased range of motion. CT occurs most frequently in the supraspinatus tendon, with one study reporting that 63% of cases occur in this tendon. The condition is about twice as common in women as in men and tends to affect the right shoulder more often than the left.
Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is characterised by the presence of calcium deposits, or bits of bone, in a rotator cuff tendon. These deposits can vary in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres. When the deposits exceed 1 cm, they often become painful. It is believed that the calcium causes chemical irritation and increased pressure in the tendon, resulting in severe pain.
The diagnosis of calcific tendinopathy is typically made using shoulder X-rays or ultrasound scans, which can reveal visible signs of calcium deposits. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and ultrasound-guided needle lavage. In some cases, arthroscopic decompression of the calcium deposits may be considered.
The Empty Can Test is a commonly used orthopedic examination to assess supraspinatus impingement or integrity. During this test, the arm is moved into 90 degrees of abduction in the plane of the scapula, with full internal rotation and the thumb pointing down. If the test is positive, it indicates significant pain and/or weakness in the supraspinatus muscle and tendon.
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Frequently asked questions
The supraspinatus muscle is one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. It is the smallest and most superiorly located of these four muscles.
The supraspinatus muscle 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 aids the deltoid muscle in abducting the shoulder and provides joint stability. It is also the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle.
