“I injured my rotator cuff” how many times have you heard
this? “
What is the rotator cuff anyway? We all know it has
something to do with the SHOULDER – well!
The Rotator cuff consists of 4 smaller muscles around the
shoulder blade – each responsible for moving your entire arm in various
directions (all directions actually –
except EXTENSION)
Here’s how to remember all 4: the first letter of each
rotator cuff muscle together spells S.I.T.S
SUPRASPINATUS.
INFRASPINATUS. TERES MINOR. SUBSCAPULARIS.
SUPRASPINATUS is 1 of 4 Rotator Cuff Muscles and the first S in 'SITS' :
Let’s
break it down: SUPRA meaning ‘above’ and
SPINATUS referring to the SPINE OF SCAPULA (a long bony ridge on the back of
your shoulder blade (scapula) therefore the supraspinatus muscle sits “above
the spine of the scapula”.
SUPRASPINATUS ATTACHMENT POINTS :
Originates from the
supraspinatus fossa of the scapula and inserts onto the SUPERIOR facet of the
greater tubercle of the humerus (a bony bump on the ball of your shoulder!)
How lovely and fitting that the supraspinatus muscles lives
in the “supraspinatus fossa”!
ACTIONS: helps to move entire arm into flexion and abduction
(see photo & video for details!)
These actions are possible because SUPRASPINATUS crosses the
shoulder joint onto the top of the arm so that it can help move the arm move
the arm!
Here is a visual of shoulder flexion and shoulder abduction! https://vine.co/v/hYUAVY1H323
