Asked by: Alfie Lesaga
medical health bone and joint conditions

What is the function of the supraspinatus?

40
Function. The supraspinatus muscle performs abduction of the arm, and pulls the head of the humerus medially towards the glenoid cavity.


In respect to this, what movement does the supraspinatus muscle do?

Action. Contraction of the supraspinatus muscle leads to abduction of the arm at the shoulder joint. It is the main agonist muscle for this movement during the first 15 degrees of its arc.

Furthermore, why is the supraspinatus most commonly injured? The supraspinatus tendon is the most frequently torn tendon in the shoulder. Tears to the rotator cuff can be caused by an acute injury such as a fall, lifting or pulling, or lifting too much overhead. Chronic tears are more common and are caused by degenerative changes over the years.

Considering this, what does the supraspinatus attach to?

The supraspinatus muscle has its origin from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula and inserts into the upper facet of the greater tuberosity of the humerus (Fig. 42-1). The muscle passes across the superior aspect of the shoulder joint with the inferior portion of the tendon intimately involved with the joint capsule.

How do you test for supraspinatus?

Test for Supraspinatus: The arm to be tested is moved into 90 degrees of abduction in the plane of the scapula (approximately 30 degrees of forward flexion), full internal rotation with the thumb pointing down as if emptying a beverage can.

Related Question Answers

Faiza Hofmijster

Professional

Can the supraspinatus be palpated?

It is impossible to palpate with the person in the standard anatomical position because it is under the acromion. In order to access the supraspinatus tendon, it must be brought to the anterior part of the shoulder. This is accomplished by placing the arm behind the back, thus medially rotating the humerus.

Editha Ciurko

Explainer

Where does the supraspinatus tendon attach?

The supraspinatus is a small muscle located on the superior aspect of the scapula which runs from the supraspinatus fossa to the greater tubercle of the humerus. The supraspinatus tendon inserts into the superior facet of greater tubercle of humerus. The supraspinatus assists the deltoid muscle in abduction of the arm.

Fransisca Jessop

Explainer

Why is it called supraspinatus?

The supraspinatus muscle is one of four muscles in a group of muscles in the shoulder region known as the rotator cuff. These keep the top of your upper arm bone secured inside the socket of the shoulder. The first part of the name, 'supra-' comes from the term 'superior', meaning above or on top.

Miles Cores

Explainer

How do you stretch the supraspinatus muscle?

Keeping your spine straight, lean forward from your waist. Let your right arm hang freely in front of you and relax your right arm and shoulder completely. Gently move your right arm forward and backward, back and forth from side to side, and around in a circle.

Kapil Breier

Pundit

What is the meaning of supraspinatus?

: a muscle of the back of the shoulder that arises from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula, that inserts into the top of the greater tubercle of the humerus, that is one of the muscles making up the rotator cuff of the shoulder, and that rotates the humerus laterally and helps to abduct the arm.

Marguerita Somerville

Pundit

How do you stretch the infraspinatus?

Hold a stick behind your back with one hand and grasp the other end of the stick with your other hand. Pull the stick horizontally, causing the shoulder to passively stretch. Feel the pull generated with this movement. Hold for half a minute and then relax for half a minute.

Danut Hespanha

Pundit

Why is my supraspinatus so tight?

Anatomical factors such as the shape of the acromion or a tight subacromial space due to a thickened ligament may be predisposing factors. Tears in the tendon of the supraspinatus or other rotator cuff muscles (commonly occur together) often result from a fall on the shoulder, usually in older people.

Miesha Riepenhausen

Pundit

Natalija Manteuffel

Pundit

What causes supraspinatus tendinitis?

The causes may be loss of normal humeral head depression either from a large rotator cuff tear or weakness of the rotator cuff muscles from a C5/C6 neural segmental lesion or a suprascapular mononeuropathy. Another way this may occur is with thickening or hypertrophy of the subacromial bursa and rotator cuff tendons.

Yumiko Lichko

Teacher

How big is the supraspinatus tendon?

RESULTS: The mean anteroposterior dimension of the supraspinatus insertion was 25 mm. The mean superior to inferior tendon thickness at the rotator interval was 11.6 mm, 12.1 mm at midtendon, and 12 mm at the posterior edge.

Ferdinando Duchow

Teacher

What is the origin and insertion of the supraspinatus?

This muscle originates from the supraspinous fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade), which is the concave area located at the top of the scapula. From the scapula, the supraspinatus muscle then travels outward and inserts onto the greater tubercle of the long bone of the upper arm, also known as the humerus.

Milesio Preugszat

Teacher

How long is the supraspinatus tendon?

RESULTS. The average length of the supraspinatus was 14.5 cm (range, 12.4–16.8 cm), with the average length of the posterior tendinous portion from the insertion being 2.8 cm (range, 2–3.7 cm) (Table 1).

Boubkar Duszynsk

Teacher

What muscles do external rotation of shoulder?

Infraspinatus & Teres Minor
These two muscles lies below the scapular spine and are external rotators of the shoulder. Infraspinatus primarily acts with the arm in neutral and Teres Minor is more active with external rotation in 90 degrees of abduction.

Sofia Schwingenschrot

Reviewer

How do you prevent supraspinatus injury?

What can I do prevent supraspinatus impingement? Step 1: Protect the subacromial space by making sure you have fluid motion of the scapula as you elevate the arm. Perform postural exercises (i.e., wall-angels) throughout the day to keep you up and avoid rolling your shoulders forward.

Jessica Leoo

Reviewer

What exercises are bad for rotator cuff?

  • 1.Lateral raises with palms down or thumbs down. This position may can increase the compression of the rotator cuff muscles against the bony surface in the shoulder.
  • Behind the head shoulder press.
  • Upright rows.
  • Triceps bench dips.
  • Single arm rows.

Khardiata Hart

Reviewer

Which muscle of the rotator cuff is most commonly injured?

Tears in the tendons of these muscles are called rotator cuff tears. The most commonly affected muscle is the supraspinatus. A combination of susceptible anatomy and a lifetime of wear and tear can cause mechanical abrasion and impingement of the supraspinatus on the acromion bone.

Shuting Jelekhovsky

Reviewer

Does a supraspinatus tear require surgery?

The vast majority of rotator cuff tears will never require surgery, and many people can find relief with nonsurgical treatments. In most cases, non-surgical treatments should be attempted first, the exception being in younger patients who have rotator cuff tears resulting from traumatic injuries.

Ibor Wyer

Supporter

How do doctors diagnose a torn rotator cuff?

Other tests which may help your doctor confirm your diagnosis include: X-rays. Because x-rays do not show the soft tissues of your shoulder like the rotator cuff, plain x-rays of a shoulder with rotator cuff pain are usually normal or may show a small bone spur. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.

Numbers Kalihov

Supporter

Why can't I raise my arm?

More often than not this is due to an issue with the rotator cuff or the “bursa” which sits above the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff pain is the number one reason why you have pain on the outside or top of your arm. It is also the main reason why you may not be able to lift or move your arm.