Supraspinatus Muscle Anatomy
& Exercises 101: The Rotator Cuff

This lesson on the supraspinatus muscle teaches its anatomy and provides exercises for strengthening this small yet important rotator cuff muscle.

The rotator cuff is made up of four small, individual back muscles; as well as other body tissues.

Together, these muscles enable rotary movement of the upper arm in any direction...

...This specific muscle is primarily in charge of raising the upper arm to the side and away from the side. And it also plays a role in shoulder stability.

It is located along the topside of each shoulder blade and upper arm bone.

On this page, you will also find a glossary that clearly defines the medical terminology within this page.

You can use the table of contents (TOC) to jump directly to a specific section.

Supraspinatus Muscle Anatomy

Supraspinatus

• Origin
  • Supraspinous Fossa of the Superior Part of the Scapula
• Insertion
  • Superior Facet of the Greater Tubercle of the Humerus
• Function
  • Shoulder Abduction
  • Shoulder Stabilization

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Exercises

Exercises. Below is a list of the exercises that most directly workout this rotator cuff muscle.

• Front Lateral Cable Raise (Seated or Standing)
• Front Lateral Dumbbell Raises (Seated or Standing)
• Lying Lateral Dumbbell Raises

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The Other Rotator Cuff Muscles

The other rotator cuff muscles include the:

• Infraspinatus
• Subscapularis
• Teres Minor

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Glossary

Functions

• Shoulder Abduction. Moving the upper arm to the side, upward and away from the body; as exemplified by a "wing-flapping" motion or the lateral raise exercises.
• Shoulder Stabilization. Maintaining the secureness and balance of the shoulder.

Anatomy

• Humerus. Upper arm bone.
• Rotator Cuff. A complex shoulder structure comprised of muscles and tendons, which enables omnidirectional rotary movement (movement in all directions) via the ball-and-socket shoulder joint.
• Scapula. Shoulder blade.
• Spinous Process. The portion of each individual vertebra that extends downward and backward, away from the arch. Many back muscles attach at these points.
• Superior. Above, or higher; located closer to the head, away from the feet.
• Superior Facet. The greater tubercle contains three flat impressions, to which a different muscle is attached. The second highest impression is the superior facet, which attaches to the supraspinatus muscle.
• Supraspinous Fossa. The small concave surface in the upper-right corner of the scapula (from the posterior, or rear-view), just above the spine of the scapula.

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