The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. These muscles work together to provide stability and allow for a wide range of motion in your shoulder joint.
The Rotator Cuff Muscles: A Detailed Look
Each muscle plays a specific role in shoulder movement and stability:
- Subscapularis: Located on the front of the shoulder blade, it helps rotate your arm inward (internal rotation).
- Supraspinatus: Situated above the shoulder blade, it initiates the abduction (lifting away from the body) of your arm.
- Infraspinatus: Found below the spine of the scapula, it helps rotate your arm outward (external rotation).
- Teres Minor: Located below the infraspinatus, it also assists in external rotation of the arm.
These muscles' tendons merge to form a cuff-like structure surrounding the shoulder joint, contributing significantly to its stability and function. Damage to any of these muscles can lead to rotator cuff injuries, causing pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
Reference: The information presented is based on the provided reference stating that the rotator cuff consists of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles. (10-Feb-2008)
