Video: Functions of the shoulder muscles

Hey, everyone! It’s Matt from Kenhub. And in this tutorial, we will discuss the anatomy and function of the shoulder muscles.

Many muscles are involved in the movement and support of the shoulder. The main group of muscles is known as the rotator cuff.

In this tutorial, I will briefly list the muscles of the shoulder joint.

The rotator cuff consists of the four following muscles: the supraspinatus…

the infraspinatus…

the teres minor…

and the subscapularis.

The main function of this group of muscles is to stabilize and center the humeral head in the joint socket called the glenoid cavity.

In addition, the muscles tighten the joint capsule to prevent a pinch during shoulder movements.

The rotator cuff, as the name suggests, plays a major role in the internal and external rotation of the upper arm in the shoulder joint.

Around the rotator cuff are many muscles that contribute to shoulder movement. The deltoid, superior to the shoulder joint, forms the shape of the superior aspect of the shoulder and work with the supraspinatus to abduct the arm.

Anteriorly, the coracobrachialis, serratus anterior…

pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor work together to flex and adduct the scapula and humerus.

The latissimus dorsi and teres major lie posteriorly and adduct the arm towards the back.

The trapezius, rhomboid major, and the levator scapula muscles elevate the scapula to cause shrugging of the shoulders and the movement of the scapula to the posterior.