Anatomical Structure and Location of the Teres Minor Under the Skin

Description

Posterior surface anatomy of the male shoulder girdle is rendered with the scapula overlying the posterolateral thoracic cage, the clavicle spanning anteriorly from the acromion toward the manubrium, and the thoracic vertebrae aligned in the midline. The teres minor is isolated beneath the skin on the dorsal scapula, positioned inferior to the infraspinatus and superior to the teres major along the lateral border of the scapula. Its fibers run laterally and slightly superiorly toward the greater tubercle of the humerus, adjacent to the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint capsule. Bony context is maintained with the scapular spine, acromion, and ribs providing landmarks. Teres minor matters because it is the posterior-inferior component of the rotator cuff and is a key external rotator that also contributes to compressing the humeral head into the glenoid during elevation. Small, targeted pathology lives here. Posterior shoulder pain and weakness in external rotation can reflect a teres minor tear or, more classically, denervation from quadrilateral space syndrome, where the axillary nerve (and posterior circumflex humeral artery) can be compressed between teres minor superiorly, teres major inferiorly, the long head of triceps medially, and the surgical neck of the humerus laterally. Use this illustration for gross anatomy and kinesiology teaching on scapulohumeral rhythm, for rotator cuff chapters that need a clear posterior scapular map, and for clinical education materials on axillary nerve injury and posterior shoulder approaches where the teres minor-teres major interval is a working landmark. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.