ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbShoulder and armRotator cuff

ArticlesAnatomyUpper limbShoulder and armRotator cuff

Rotator cuff

Author: Christopher A. Becker, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 5 minutes

In the human body, the rotator cuff is a functional anatomical unit located in the upper extremity.

Its function is related to the glenohumeral joint, where the muscles of the cuff function both as the executors of the movements of the joint and the stabilization of the joint as well.

Injuries of the rotator cuff interfere with the function of the glenohumeral joint and correspond with inability to perform the movements associated with this joint.

Key facts
Supraspinatus muscle	Origin: supraspinatous fossa of scapula Insertion: greater tubercle of humerus Innervation: suprascapular nerve (C4, C6) Function: initiation of abduction of arm to 15° at glenohumeral joint; stabilization of humeral head in glenoid cavity.
Infraspinatus muscle	Origin: infraspinatous fossa of scapula Insertion: greater tubercle of humerus Innervation: suprascapular nerve (C5, C6) Function: external rotation of arm at glenohumeral joint; stabilization of the humeral head in glenoid cavity.
Teres minor muscle	Origin: lateral border of scapula Insertion: greater tubercle of humerus Innervation: axillary nerve (C5, C6) Function: external rotation and adduction of arm at glenohumeral joint; stabilization of the humeral head in glenoid cavity.
Subscapularis muscle	Origin: medial two-third of the subscapular fossa Insertion: lesser tubercle of the humerus Innervation: upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5, C7) Function: internal rotation of arm; stabilization of humeral head in glenoid cavity.
Mnemonic	Rotator cuff SITS on the shoulder ( Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis)

The following article describes the anatomy, including the origins and insertions, together with the function and pathologies of the rotator cuff.

Contents

Origins and insertions
Functions
Clinical aspects
Sources

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Origins and insertions

These muscles all originate from the scapula and insert in the humerus.

Subscapularis muscle

The subscapularis muscle is very important for the internal rotation of the humerus. It arises from the subscapular fossa and inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus.

Teres minor muscle

The teres minor muscle originates from the lateral border of the scapula and inserts on the greater tubercle of the humerus.

Supraspinatus muscle

The supraspinatus muscle has its origin in the supraspinatous fossa and inserts on the greater tubercle of the humerus – similar to the teres minor muscle.

Infraspinatus muscle

The fourth muscle of the rotator cuff is the infraspinatus muscle. It originates in the infraspinatous fossa of the scapula and inserts on the greater tubercle as well.

Mnemonic

The rotator cuff muscles are a favourite exam topic! Imprint them into your brain easily using the following mnemonic.

Rotator cuff SITS on the shoulder

Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Subscapularis

Functions

The main function of the rotator cuff is to stabilize and center the humeral head in the joint socket, the glenoid cavity. In addition, the muscles tighten the joint capsule preventing a pinch during shoulder movements.

The rotator cuff always pops up in exam questions! Make sure you're prepared for questions on its attachments, innervations and functions with our upper extremity muscle anatomy revision chart.

Certainly the rotator cuff – as the name suggests – plays a major role in the internal and external rotation of the arm in the shoulder joint. All the muscles mentioned above fulfill different functions.

The subscapularis muscle is a powerful internal rotator which also supports the arm during abduction and adduction. Conversely, the teres minor muscle’s function consists primarily of external rotation and adduction of the arm.

The supraspinatus muscle initiates the abduction of the of the arm. Finally, the infraspinatus muscle is a strong external rotator and additionally assists in both abduction and adduction.

Learn the main muscles of the rotator cuff with the following quiz.

Clinical aspects

When looking at pathologies of the rotator cuff – as in all joints - one needs to differentiate between degenerative and traumatic lesions. Here are two examples:

An example of a degenerative disease of the rotator cuff is the subacromial impingement syndrome. There the supraspinatus muscle tendon gets impinged at the acromion. This process is commonly caused by a thickened tendon or an inflammation of the overlying bursa leading to an enlargement, thus compressing the subacromial space.

Another possible cause for an impingement is a bony subacromial spur resulting in a narrowing of the nerve with pain. A positive Neer sign when elevating the shoulder above 120 degrees is characteristic in the impingement syndrome.

The rotator cuff tear is an example of a traumatic lesion of the rotator cuff where it comes to a rupture of one or more tendons up to the point of a complete tear of the rotator cuff muscles. Often those ruptures have been preceded by degenerative changes in the rotator cuff. The treatment can be either of conservative or surgical nature (e.g. transosseous fixation), depending on the severity of the rupture and the patient’s age.

Even though the rotator cuff consists only of four muscles, it plays an essential role in the stability and mobility of the most flexible joint in the human body: the shoulder.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Benninghoff/Drenckhahn: Anatomie, Band 1, 16. Auflage, Urban & Fischer Verlag (2003)
Berchtold: Chirurgie, 6. Auflage, Elsevier Verlag (2008)
Rössler H., Rüther W. [Hrsg.]: Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, 19. Auflage, Elsevier Verlag (2005)

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