The Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is comprised of four muscles. These individual muscles combine at the shoulder to form a thick "cuff" over this joint. The rotator cuff has the important job of stabilizing the shoulder as well as elevating and rotating the arm.

Let's review the four muscles that form the rotator cuff:

Supraspinatus

The supraspinatus abducts, or elevates, the shoulder joint. It also works with the other rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the head of the humerus in the glenohumeral joint, or shoulder joint.

The infraspinatus externally rotates the shoulder joint. It also works with the other rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the head of the humerus in the glenohumeral joint, or shoulder joint.

The teres minor muscle externally rotates the shoulder joint. It also works with the other rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the head of the humerus in the glenohumeral joint, or shoulder joint.

The subscapularis muscle works to depress the head of the humerus allowing it to move freely in the glenohumeral joint during elevation of the arm. It also works with the other rotator cuff muscles to stabilize the head of the humerus in the glenohumeral joint, or shoulder joint.