HUMERUS MOVER MUSCLES: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis

SCAPULA MOVERS MUSCLES:
PROTRACTORS:
pectoralis major
pectoralis minor
serratus anterior
RETRACTORS:
trapezius
rhomboids
ELEVATORS:
levator scapula
trapezius

CONDITIONS:
pectoralis minor entrapment

COMMENTS: The shoulder can be divided into two functional groups. One group is the muscles that move the humerus in relationship to the the scapula. All the muscles that support this "gleno-humeral"joint are called the rotator cuff muscles, and they all originate from the scapula and insert on the head of the humerus. These muscles can be remembered in that they spell SITS. Supraspinatus abducts, Infraspinatus and teres minor externally rotate, Subscapularis internally rotates.

The other grouping of muscles are those that position the scapula on the rib cage. These muscles originate from the rib cage and spine and insert on the scapula or humerus. The muscles on the back (rhomboids, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi) are often confused in that they are not really back muscles (they don’t move the back), they are really shoulder and arm muscles. When people complain of mid to upper back pain it is usually related to these shoulder moving muscles. The deeper neck muscles have their root in the upper back as well. Always check the neck range of motion when you find upper back tension.