Click on the structure to specify the target of your label
![]() |
01 | ![]() |
Supraspinatus
Other Terms:
Supraspinatus muscle,
Musculus supraspinatus,
Muscle supra-épineux
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus supraspinatus
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Shoulder joint muscle – rotator cuff
Etymology
The English name for this muscle is the muscle above the spine. The term supra is Latin meaning “above or over” and spinatus comes from the Latin spina meaning “thorn.” Spina was originally used to describe any thorn-like or pointed projection, like the spinous processes of the vertebrae. This term was then transferred to the dorsal ridge formed by the individual spinous projections of the vertebrae. On the scapula it forms a dorsal ridge of bone.
Origin
Supraspinous fossa of the scapula and overlying supraspinous fascia.
Insertion
Superior most aspect of the greater tubercle of the humerus.
Action
Abduction of the humerus – the supraspinatus appears to be more prominent in the early stages of abduction than does the deltoid. Both muscles, however, show a progressive increase in activity from 0 to 90 degrees of abduction. At 90 degrees they reach their maximal activity and maintain this level between 90 and 180 degrees of shoulder abduction. They are not responsible for the movement between 90 and 180 degrees rather, this range of motion results from upward rotation of the scapula. During this latter phase they are actively resisting the gravitational load on the arm.Stabilizes the shoulder joint – as one of the rotator cuff muscles, the supraspinatus plays a critical role in stabilizing the shallow shoulder joint. This muscle, along with the superior part of the joint capsule and horizontal fibers of the posterior deltoid, stabilizes the shoulder joint from subluxation or downward dislocation of the vertically hanging arm during normal posture.
Nerve supply
Suprascapular nerve (C5 and C6)
Blood supply
Suprascapular artery and dorsal scapular artery.
Latin
Musculus supraspinatus
French
Muscle supra-épineux