Infraspinatus

Infraspinatus is a thick triangular muscle, which occupies the chief part of the infraspinatous fossa. As one of the four muscles of the rotator cuff, the infraspinatus muscle plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder.

Anatomy

The infraspinatus muscle originates from the medial three quarters of the infraspinatous fossa, and its fibers converge to a tendon that attaches at the middle facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus. The muscle is supplied by the suprascapular nerve.

Function

The infraspinatus muscle is a major controller of shoulder joint stability. It assists in the external rotation of the humerus and holds the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Clinical Significance

Injury to the infraspinatus muscle or its nerve supply can cause weakness in lateral rotation of the arm and shoulder pain. This can be a common injury in athletes who perform a lot of overhead movements.

See Also

• Supraspinatus
• Teres minor
• Subscapularis
• Rotator cuff

References

Infraspinatus Resources
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