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The supraspinatus muscle is a small but important muscle located in the upper shoulder region. It is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle and is the most superiorly located of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle resides in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine, and its tendon extends laterally, passing under the acromion process and over the head of the humerus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Upper shoulder region, in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine |
| Muscle type | Rotator cuff muscle |
| Innervation | Suprascapular nerve (C5-C6), originating from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus |
| Blood supply | Suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries, branches of the thyrocervical trunk and the third part of the subclavian artery |
| Antagonists | Infraspinatus, teres minor, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi |
| Function | Abduction of the arm, stabilization of the humerus, and weak contribution to lateral rotation of the humerus |
| Pathologies | Rotator cuff tears, impingement syndromes, and tendinitis |
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What You'll Learn
- The supraspinatus muscle is located in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula
- It is innervated by the suprascapular nerve
- The supraspinatus contributes to shoulder stability and motion
- It is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle
- The muscle receives its blood supply from the suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries
The supraspinatus muscle is located in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula
The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa, which is a shallow depression found on the dorsal aspect of the scapula. Its tendon extends laterally, passing underneath the acromion process, which is a bony extension of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder on its lateral side. The tendon then blends with the joint capsule before inserting onto the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve, which originates from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. This nerve enables communication between the supraspinatus and the central nervous system. The supraspinatus receives its blood supply from the suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries, which are branches of the thyrocervical trunk and the third part of the subclavian artery, respectively.
The supraspinatus muscle is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle and is vulnerable to impingement due to its position under the acromion. Common pathologies related to the supraspinatus muscle include rotator cuff tears, impingement syndromes, and tendinitis, which typically present as shoulder pain and restricted range of motion. Strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and surgical interventions are common treatment options for these conditions.
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It is innervated by the suprascapular nerve
The supraspinatus muscle is a small muscle located in the upper shoulder region. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is the most superiorly positioned rotator cuff muscle, residing in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, above the spine of the scapula.
The supraspinatus muscle is innervated by the suprascapular nerve, which originates from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, specifically from the nerve roots of C5 and C6 (and sometimes C4). The brachial plexus is formed from the anterior rami of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves. The suprascapular nerve is considered a branch of the brachial plexus and is the only branch of its upper trunk.
The suprascapular nerve provides both sensory and motor innervation for the supraspinatus muscle. It gives off a sensory branch that provides sensory innervation for the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints, which are part of the shoulder joint. The motor innervation of the suprascapular nerve enables the supraspinatus muscle to initiate and aid in the abduction of the arm, working in synergy with the deltoid muscle.
Damage to the suprascapular nerve can result in suprascapular neuropathy, a rare syndrome characterized by pain and muscle weakness in the posterior shoulder region. This can lead to weakened abduction and external rotation of the shoulder. Suprascapular nerve injury is a leading cause of shoulder pain and weakness, with the nerve's path through narrow structures making it susceptible to compression and traction injuries, particularly at the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches.
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The supraspinatus contributes to shoulder stability and motion
The supraspinatus muscle is a small but important muscle located in the upper 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 muscle contributes significantly to shoulder stability and motion.
The supraspinatus muscle originates in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, which is a shallow depression found above the spine of the scapula. From here, the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle extends laterally, passing underneath the acromion process and inserting onto the superior facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus. This position allows the supraspinatus muscle to perform several important functions related to shoulder stability and motion.
One of the primary roles of the supraspinatus muscle is to stabilize the shoulder joint. It does this by keeping the head of the humerus firmly pressed against the glenoid fossa of the scapula. This helps to resist the gravitational forces acting on the shoulder joint and prevents the weight of the upper limb from pulling downward. The supraspinatus muscle also works together with the deltoid muscle to adduct the arm at the shoulder, initiating shoulder abduction and limiting inferior displacement of the humeral head.
In addition to its stabilizing role, the supraspinatus muscle is also involved in the abduction of the humerus. It assists the deltoid muscle in this movement by compressing and stabilizing the humeral head at the glenohumeral articulation. This allows the deltoid to abduct the humerus with minimal superior displacement, avoiding impingement of the rotator cuff. The supraspinatus muscle is also thought to contribute weakly to the lateral rotation of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is susceptible to various pathologies, including rotator cuff tears, impingement syndromes, and tendinitis. These conditions typically present as shoulder pain and restricted range of motion. Due to its important role in shoulder stability and motion, injury to the supraspinatus muscle can significantly impact the function of the shoulder joint.
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It is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle
The supraspinatus is a small muscle located in the upper shoulder region. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is the most frequently torn rotator cuff muscle.
The supraspinatus muscle resides 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. This space under the acromion is called the 'subacromial space'. The acromion process is a bony extension of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder on its lateral side. The insertion point of the supraspinatus muscle is the superior facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
Because the supraspinatus travels under the acromion, this can make it vulnerable to impingement. Common pathologies related to the supraspinatus muscle include rotator cuff tears, impingement syndromes, and tendinitis, which typically present as shoulder pain and restricted range of motion. Rotator cuff tears are among the most common injuries, especially among athletes who play contact sports or those that involve repetitive shoulder motions, such as baseball, tennis, rowing, and weightlifting.
Most tears occur in the supraspinatus tendon, and they can be partial or full-thickness tears. These tears can be caused by trauma or repeated micro-trauma, and they often occur in the tendon or as an avulsion from the greater tuberosity. Treatment options for rotator cuff tears include strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and surgical interventions. Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff typically involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of the humerus.
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The muscle receives its blood supply from the suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries
The supraspinatus muscle is located in the upper shoulder region. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles, which also include the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. The supraspinatus is the smallest and most superiorly located of these four muscles. It resides in the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, superior to the scapular spine.
The supraspinatus muscle receives its blood supply mainly from the suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries. These arteries are essential for providing the muscle with nutrients and oxygen, facilitating its optimal functioning. The suprascapular artery is typically a branch of the thyrocervical trunk, which is a branch of the subclavian artery. However, in some cases, the suprascapular artery may arise directly from the third part of the subclavian artery.
The suprascapular nerve, formed by the anterior rami of spinal nerves C5 and C6, innervates the supraspinatus muscle. This nerve enables communication between the muscle and the central nervous system. The supraspinatus tendon extends laterally, passing beneath the acromion process and over the head of the humerus. This muscle plays a crucial role in shoulder stability and motion, and it is commonly associated with pathologies such as rotator cuff tears, impingement syndromes, and tendinitis.
The supraspinatus muscle is a deep muscle, located underneath the trapezius and deltoid muscles. It contributes significantly to the dynamic stabilisation of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint, assisting in the abduction of the arm. This small but important muscle has been the subject of extensive research due to its frequent involvement in injuries and tears.
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Frequently asked questions
The supraspinatus muscle is located in the shoulder region.
The supraspinatus muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula.
The supraspinatus muscle inserts into the upper facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for abduction of the arm and contributes to shoulder stability and motion.
