Teres

Teres refers to two muscles in the human body, the Teres major and the Teres minor. Both muscles are part of the scapulohumeral group, located in the upper limb between the scapula and the humerus.

Teres Major

The Teres major is a muscle of the upper limb and one of the seven scapulohumeral muscles. It is a thick and ovoid muscle in the upper arm. Despite their similar names, Teres major has different actions and innervation from the Teres minor. It is a medial rotator and adductor of the humerus and assists the latissimus dorsi in drawing the previously raised humerus downwards and backwards (extension, but not hyperextension). It also helps stabilise the humeral head in the glenoid cavity.

Teres Minor

The Teres minor is a narrow, elongated muscle of the rotator cuff. The muscle originates from the lateral border and adjacent posterior surface of the corresponding right or left scapula and inserts at both the greater tubercle of the humerus and the posterior surface of the joint capsule. The Teres minor is innervated by the Axillary nerve. The muscle's primary function is to prevent displacement of the humerus, as well as to rotate the humerus laterally.

See Also

• Scapulohumeral muscles
• Rotator cuff
• Axillary nerve
• Humerus
• Scapula