Name
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.