Supraspinatus Muscle

Description

Positioned in the supraspinous fossa, the supraspinatus muscle sits superior to the scapular spine and deep to the trapezius in a posterior upper back view of an adult female. Laterally, its tendon converges beneath the acromion to blend with the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus, forming the superior component of the rotator cuff. Inferior to the spine, the infraspinatus occupies the infraspinous fossa, while the posterior deltoid caps the glenohumeral region laterally; medial borders of the scapula and adjacent fibers of levator scapulae and latissimus dorsi provide regional context. White-rendered tendinous attachments and aponeuroses clarify where contractile fibers end and load transfers to bone. Posterior rendering of supraspinatus matters because its tendon passes through the narrow subacromial space, where mechanical impingement and degenerative tearing are common. This view also clarifies why weakness in the first 15 degrees of shoulder abduction and pain with resisted abduction can point to supraspinatus pathology rather than primary deltoid dysfunction. A small muscle, big consequences. Orthopedic readers will recognize the anatomic basis for partial-thickness bursal-sided tears, the critical zone of relative hypovascularity near the tendon insertion, and the surgical relevance of identifying the scapular spine and acromion as palpable landmarks for portal placement and cuff repair orientation. Use this illustration in shoulder and upper limb anatomy courses to teach rotator cuff layering, scapular fossae, and the relationship between supraspinatus and infraspinatus across the scapular spine. It also suits sports medicine, physical therapy, and orthopedic publications discussing subacromial impingement, rotator cuff tear patterns, or postoperative rehabilitation cues tied to supraspinatus loading. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.