Muscles of the Rotator Cuff Flashcards
7 cards from real Anatomy Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Muscles of the Rotator Cuff flashcards as text
The rotator cuff contributes to shoulder stability primarily by which mechanism?
Answer: Compressing the humeral head into the glenoid
The rotator cuff muscles compress the humeral head into the glenoid fossa, providing dynamic stability to the glenohumeral joint.
Which two rotator cuff muscles share innervation from the suprascapular nerve?
Answer: Supraspinatus and infraspinatus
Both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus are innervated by the suprascapular nerve (C5, C6).
Teres minor originates from which structure?
Answer: Upper two-thirds of the lateral border of the scapula
The teres minor originates from the upper two-thirds of the lateral (axillary) border of the scapula.
A full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon would most likely result in weakness of which movement?
Answer: Arm abduction
The supraspinatus is critical for initiating and maintaining arm abduction, so a full-thickness tear weakens this movement.
The subscapularis muscle passes anterior to the shoulder joint and inserts on which structure?
Answer: Lesser tubercle of the humerus
The subscapularis inserts onto the lesser tubercle of the humerus, which is on the anterior aspect of the proximal humerus.
Which rotator cuff muscle works synergistically with the infraspinatus to externally rotate the arm?
Answer: Teres minor
The teres minor assists the infraspinatus in externally rotating the arm at the glenohumeral joint.
The supraspinatus muscle passes through which anatomical space before inserting on the humerus?
Answer: Subacromial space
The supraspinatus tendon passes through the subacromial space between the acromion above and the humeral head below.