Muscle, infraspinatus


The infraspinatus muscle;
The teres minor muscle, which (like the infraspinatus muscle) helps in the outward turning (external rotation) of the arm;
The supraspinatus muscle, which is responsible for elevating the arm and moving it away from the body; and
The subscapularis muscle, which moves the arm by turning it inward (internal rotation).

Damage to the rotator cuff is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.

The term “infraspinatis” means below (infra) the spine. The infraspinatus muscle originates below the “spine” of the scapula (the wingbone).

Read Also:

  • Muscle, papillary

    A small muscle within the heart that anchors the heart valves. The anchor ropes are the chordae tendineae, thread-like bands of fibrous tissue that attach on one end to the edges of the tricuspid and mitral valves of the heart and on the other end to the papillary muscles.

  • Muscle, piriformis

    A muscle that begins at the front surface of the sacrum (the V-shaped bone between the buttocks, at the base of the spine) and passes through the greater sciatic notch to attach to the top of the thighbone (femur) at its bony prominence (the greater trochanter). The gluteus maximus muscle covers the piriformis muscle in […]

  • Muscle, psoas

    so-as. The word “psoas” is Greek for the loins, the muscles of the lower back.

  • Muscle, subscapularis

    A muscle that moves the arm by turning it inward (internal rotation). The tendon of the subscapularis muscle is one of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and constitute the rotator cuff.

  • Muscle, supraspinatus

    A muscle that is responsible for elevating the arm and moving it away from the body. The tendon of the supraspinatus muscle is one of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and constitute the rotator cuff.


Disclaimer: Muscle, infraspinatus definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.