Muscles of the shoulder

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 22 Aug 2019

Muscles of the shoulder can be subdivided into a variety of groups depending on origin, topography, function or innervation. The system used here groups the muscles based on their function and topography (which are closely related in the upper limb):

Muscles of the shoulder girdle

Muscles that have migrated from the head
Posterior muscles of the trunk and shoulder girdle
Anterior muscles of the trunk and shoulder girdle

Muscles of the shoulder joint

Rotator cuff
Posterior muscle group
Anterior muscle group

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