Shoulder Muscles' Origin, Insertion, Action, & Palpation Location
Internal rotation of humerus
Subscapularis action
Lesser tubercle
Subscapularis insertion
Anterior surface of scapula
Subscapularis origin
Elevation & upward rotation of scapula
Upper trapezius action
Parallel to cervical vertebrae, near shoulder/neck curve
Upper trapezius palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G828N9bObIU
Flexion & horizontal adduction of humerus
Anterior deltoid action
Deltoid tuberosity
Anterior deltoid insertion
Acromial end of clavicle
Anterior deltoid origin
Inferior to clavicle on anterior aspect of humeral head
Anterior deltoid palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3JeV5enQjA
Flexion & adduction of humerus
Coracobrachialis action
Medial surface of humerus
Coracobrachialis insertion
Coracoid process
Coracobrachialis origin
- Distal portion of the axillary region - Can be felt if the arm is elevated above the horizontal. It emerges from underneath the inferior border of the pectoralis major where it lies medial to, & parallel w/, the tendon of the short head of the biceps
Coracobrachialis palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSJDpa5fOyg
External/Lateral rotation & adduction of humerus
Infraspinatus action
Greater tubercle
Infraspinatus insertion
Infraspinus fossa
Infraspinatus origin
- Inferior to scapular spine - Mild contraction can be felt when client is in prone *or* seated/standing w/ trunk @ a forward incline; arm hanging vertically; lateral rotation of humerus
Infraspinatus palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfrCeheBL9w
Internal rotation, extension & adduction of humerus
Latissimus dorsi action
Less tubercle
Latissimus dorsi insertion
Spinous process of T6 downward
Latissimus dorsi origin
Inferior to teres major or closer to its origins, parallel to thoracic & lumbar vertebrae
Latissimus dorsi palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vibt_Y5RAc
Elevation & downward rotation of scapula
Levator scapulae action
Medial border of the scapula, above scapular spine
Levator scapulae insertion
Transverse process of upper cervical vertebrae
Levator scapulae origin
- Neck region, anterior to the trapezius but posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle - Contraction can be felt when forearm is in the small of the back & shrugs are being performed
Levator scapulae palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MotzzlZfgC8
Upward rotation, adduction & depression of scapula
Lower trapezius action
Spine of scapula
Lower trapezius insertion
Spinous process from T6-T12
Lower trapezius origin
Distal to the medial end of scapular spine & parallel to thoracic vertebrae, approximately at the level of the inferior angle of scapula
Lower trapezius palpation (red section) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhM_g2eB-wc
Abduction of humerus
Middle deltoid action
Deltoid tuberosity
Middle deltoid insertion
Acromion
Middle deltoid origin
Over the middle of shoulder, from acromion to deltoid tuberosity
Middle deltoid palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsLKJkne6HI
Upward rotation & adduction of scapula
Middle trapezius action
Acromion
Middle trapezius insertion
Spinous process of T1-T5
Middle trapezius origin
Between spine of scapula & adjacent vertebrae in alignment of abducted humerus
Middle trapezius palpation (orange section) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDhDX26v_00
Adduction, horizontal adduction & internal rotaion of humerus
Pectoralis major actions
Greater tubercle
Pectoralis major insertion
Ribs 2-6
Pectoralis major origin
- Full muscle = anterior chest - Borders = along clavicle & sternum - Insertion = anterior aspect of axilla
Pectoralis major palpations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba2qMMqdJ34
Depression of scapula
Pectoralis minor action
Coracoid process
Pectoralis minor insertion
Ribs 3-5
Pectoralis minor origin
Tendon can be palpated just inferior to coracoid process when forearm is placed in the small of the back
Pectoralis minor palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ZM13q-0dc
Extension & horizontal abduction of humerus
Posterior deltoid action
Deltoid tuberosity
Posterior deltoid insertion
Scapular spine
Posterior deltoid origin
Inferior to scapular spine, distally toward deltoid tuberosity on posterior aspect of shoulder
Posterior deltoid palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdT5hvMpAks
Downward rotation, adduction & elevation of scapula
Rhomboid major action
Medial boarder of scapula
Rhomboid major insertion
Spinous process of T2-T5
Rhomboid major origin
Between vertebral boarder of scapula & T2-T5 vertebrae
Rhomboid major palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqpgr3zn9uA
Downward rotation, adduction & elevation of scapula
Rhomboid minor action
Medial boarder of scapula
Rhomboid minor insertion
Spinous process of C7-T1
Rhomboid minor origin
Between vertebral boarder of scapula & C7-T1 vertebrae
Rhomboid minor palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqpgr3zn9uA
Protraction & upward rotation of scapula
Serratus anterior action
Anterior surface of vertebral boarder of scapula
Serratus anterior insertion
Anterior-superior aspects of ribs 1-9
Serratus anterior origin
Digitations of origin on rib 1-9, along the midaxillary line, just distal & anterior to the axillary border of the scapula
Serratus anterior palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSbze-2hY8g
- Axilla anterior to latissimus dorsi toward costal surface of scapula - Contraction felt when trunk inclined forward, arm hanging vertically & rotated medially
Subscapularis palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxuv-x_mAM
Abduction of humerus
Supraspinatus action
Greater tubercle
Supraspinatus insertion
Supraspinus fossa
Supraspinatus origin
- Superior to scapular spine - Contraction can be felt when client is in prone w/ arm abducted *or* when lifting a weight w/ trunk inclined
Supraspinatus palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZTbLdgrCeQ
Internal rotation, adduction & extension of humerus
Teres major action
Lesser tubercle
Teres major insertion
Inferior angle of scapula
Teres major origin
- Inferior aspect of the axillary border of the scapula when client in prone, arm hanging over table's edge - Contraction felt w/ medial rotation of humerus
Teres major palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEhxR3W6QJ0
External/Lateral rotation & adduction of humerus
Teres minor action
Greater tubercle
Teres minor insertion
Lateral border of scapula
Teres minor origin
- Lateral to infraspinatus & scapular spine - Mild contraction can be felt when client is in prone *or* seated/standing w/ trunk @ a forward incline; arm hanging vertically; lateral rotation of humerus
Teres minor palpation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqQFTV5Ib1g
Acromial end of clavicle
Upper trapezius insertion
Occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7
Upper trapezius origin
- Interior deltoid - Posterior deltoid - Middle deltoid - Latissimus dorsi - Pectoralis major
Which muscles move the shoulder?
- Serratus anterior - Upper trapezius - Middle trapezius - Lower trapezius - Rhomboid minor - Rhomboid major - Pectoralis minor - Pectoralis major - Levator scapulae
Which muscles stabilize the scapulae?
- Supraspinatus - Infraspinatus - Teres minor - Subscapularis - Teres major - Coracobrachialis
Which muscles stabilize the shoulder girdle?
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