Name

# Supraspinatus

Pronunciation

(soo-pruh-spi-NA-tus)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Supraspinous fossa of the scapula

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Upper aspect of the greater tuberosity of the humerus & capsule of the shoulder joint

Action/Relevance

Abducts the armStabilizes the glenohumeral joint

Innervation

Suprascapular nerve (C5, 6)

Notes

The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle of the upper limb that takes its name from its origin from the supraspinous fossa superior to the spine of the scapula. It is one of the four rotator cuff muscles and also abducts the arm at the shoulder. The spine of the scapula separates the supraspinatus muscle from the infraspinatus muscle, which originates below the spine. The rotator cuff around the shoulder is formed by four muscles that attach to the scapula and insert onto the humerus.