Supraspinatus (left) (Musculus supraspinatus)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
Occupies the supraspinous fossa above the scapular spine; the first of the four rotator-cuff muscles. Its tendon runs beneath the acromion over the humeral head at the shoulder joint, initiating the first 15° of arm abduction before assisting the deltoid beyond that.
Origin & insertion
Medial two-thirds of the supraspinous fossa and the deep fascia covering it. Superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Action
Initiates arm abduction (first 15°) and compresses the humeral head into the glenoid throughout movement, preventing upward translation under the acromion.
Innervation
Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6), from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.
Clinical notes
The most commonly torn rotator-cuff tendon after falls or repetitive strain; a tear produces pain through the painful arc (60°–120° of elevation), and chronic subacromial impingement progressively frays the tendon.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Supraspinatus (left)?
Occupies the supraspinous fossa above the scapular spine; the first of the four rotator-cuff muscles. Its tendon runs beneath the acromion over the humeral head at the shoulder joint, initiating the first 15° of arm abduction before assisting the deltoid beyond that.
Why is the Supraspinatus (left) clinically important?
The most commonly torn rotator-cuff tendon after falls or repetitive strain; a tear produces pain through the painful arc (60°–120° of elevation), and chronic subacromial impingement progressively frays the tendon.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details