This video and blog will teach you all about the Roles of The Rotator Cuff Muscles, and a simple acronym to remember the name and position of the rotator cuff muscles. You’ll also learn the individual actions of the rotator cuff muscles.
You will need to know this for your Level 3 Anatomy exams, as well as when programming exercises for your clients.
At the bottom of this blog, you’ll also find three mock questions to test your knowledge
Watch the 7-minute video about The Roles of The Rotator Cuff Muscles
What are the Rotator Cuff Muscles?
There are 4 Rotator Cuff Muscles. Their collaborative role is to stabilise the shoulder joint and assist global muscles in movements of the shoulder.
The four rotator cuff muscles are:
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres Minor
Subscapularis
using the acronym SITS, will help you remember the order of the muscles, from the top (most superior) to the bottom (most inferior).
NOTE the Teres Major is NOT one of the Rotator Cuff Muscles
If you want mock questions to test your knowledge, then you can download more Free Mock Questions: DOWNLOAD NOW
Where are the Rotator Cuff Muscles?
All four Rotator Cuff Muscles Originate on the scapula and insert on the humerus. However, their origin point and location around the scapula are slightly different:
Supraspinatus = Posterior (back) and Superior (on top) to the Spine of Scapula
B. Infraspinatus = Posterior (back) and Inferior (below) to the Spine of Scapula
C. Teres Minor = Posterior (back) and Lateral (outside edge) to the Scapula
D. Subscapularis = Anterior (front) to the Scapula
The image below shows WHERE all FOUR of the rotator cuffs are positioned. Note these are shown from an anterior view (front of the body) and a posterior view (back of the body).
The image below is just showing the RIGHT side of the body. We have the exact mirror image of the muscles on the left and right sides of the body.
What are the actions of the Rotator Cuff Muscles?
All four rotator cuff muscles are responsible for stabilising the shoulder joint, where they hold the humerus into the glenoid cavity. They also all have another role, that is different for each muscle:
Supraspinatus:
Abduction of the humerus
Infraspinatus:
Laterally / Externally Rotates the humerus
Teres Minor:
Laterally / Externally Rotates the humerus
Subscapularis:
Medially/ Internal Rotation of the humerus
Learning all of the muscles can feel overwhelming and frustrating. Staring at a manual and learning from the smallest of images. Our L3 Muscle Memory Flashcards will break each muscle down and make it super simple.
Test your knowledge with three mock questions:
[NOTE: The answers are below the 3rd questions]
Q1: Which muscle assists in holding the humerus into the glenoid cavity?
A. Teres Major
B. Teres Minor
C. Latissimus Dorsi
D. Trapezius
Q2: Which Rotator Cuff Muscle Abducts the shoulder?
A. Supraspinatus
B. Infraspinatus
C. Teres Minor
D. Subscapularis
Q3: Which rotator cuff is located on the anterior surface of the scapula?
A. Supraspinatus
B. Infraspinatus
C. Teres Minor
D. Subscapularis
Answers to the mock questions are :
Question 1= B, Question 2 = A, Question 3 = D
If you want more mock questions like this, then you can download more Free Mock Questions: DOWNLOAD NOW
How to learn origins and insertions?
Learn, Revise & Remember All 50 Muscles In The Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology Exam.
(and the BEST part…You can do all this in as little as 5-minutes a day)
Each flashcard gives you a clear image and six clear muscle facts:
- Name and Location
- Origin and Insertions
- Muscle Actions
- Joints Crossed
- Primary Planes Of Movement
- Exercise Examples
Dedicated to More
Hayley “Roles of the rotator cuff muscles” Bergman
Parallel Coaching
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