Rotator cuff
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder and help move the upper arm.
The rotator cuff is made up 4 muscles and their tendons:
- supraspinatus;
- infraspinatus;
- teres minor; and
- subscapularis.
These muscles connect the scapula (shoulder blade) with the humerus (upper arm bone). Each muscle attaches to the humerus through a tendon - a thick band of fibrous tissue.
Some of the actions of the rotator cuff are to rotate the upper arm towards the body (internal rotation) and away from the body (external rotation), and to help raise the arm (abduction).
The rotator cuff muscles and tendons can be strained, or even torn, by accidents such as a fall onto your outstretched arm or by repetitive overhead arm movements - a rotator cuff injury or tear.
Last Reviewed: 29 October 2010
- 1. Netter F. Muscles of rotator cuff. Atlas of human anatomy. 2nd ed. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis; 1997: 396-7.
2. MayoClinic.com. Rotator cuff injury (published 21 Aug 2010). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rotator-cuff-injury/DS00192 (accessed Feb 2011).
