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
In the 'empty can test,' the arm is placed in what position to isolate the supraspinatus?
Answer: 90° abduction with internal rotation, as if emptying a can
The empty can test positions the arm at 90° abduction with internal rotation (thumb pointing down), isolating supraspinatus tension.
Which rotator cuff muscle inserts on the inferior facet of the greater tubercle?
Answer: Teres minor
The teres minor inserts onto the inferior facet of the greater tubercle, below the infraspinatus.
A 'SITS' mnemonic is used to remember the rotator cuff muscles. What does 'T' represent?
Answer: Teres minor
In SITS (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis), the 'T' stands for Teres minor.
Damage to the suprascapular nerve at the spinoglenoid notch would selectively affect which muscle?
Answer: Infraspinatus only
Compression at the spinoglenoid notch affects the suprascapular nerve after it branches to the supraspinatus, so only the infraspinatus is denervated.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the rotator cuff as a group?
Answer: Elevating the clavicle
The rotator cuff muscles do not act on the clavicle; clavicle elevation is performed by the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid.
In a massive rotator cuff tear involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, which movement would be most severely compromised?
Answer: External rotation and abduction
Loss of both the supraspinatus (abduction) and infraspinatus (external rotation) severely compromises these combined movements.
The subscapularis is separated from the scapula by which bursa?
Answer: Subscapular bursa (subcoracoid bursa)
The subscapular (subcoracoid) bursa lies between the subscapularis muscle and the neck of the scapula, reducing friction.