Shoulder muscles
The muscles that act on the shoulder are responsible for elevation, protraction, retraction and upward and downward rotation of the scapula. Scapular depression is mainly caused by the force of gravity, but also supported by muscles.
Adjusting the position of the scapula allows a wider range of movement in the shoulder girdle and upper limb.
These six movements are accomplished by so-called axioappendicular muscles. These shoulder muscles all originate from the axial skeleton and insert at different locations of the scapula bone to fulfill their various functions:
- The anterior axioappendicular muscles contain the pectoralis major and minor, subclavius and serratus anterior.
- The posterior axioappendicular muscles include
- extrinsic muscles: trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and minor
- intrinsic muscles: deltoid, teres major and the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor)
Learn all about them with our interactive diagrams below!