The supraspinatus (rotator cuff)

What it does

The supraspinatus sits in a hollow above the ridge of the shoulder blade and passes under the bony point of the shoulder to attach to the top of the humerus. It begins lifting the arm out to the side and keeps the head of the humerus pressed into its shallow socket.

Why it matters

Pain when you lift your arm between shoulder and head height, the "painful arc", often comes from this tendon being pinched under the bony shoulder roof.

Nearby

• The infraspinatus (rotator cuff)
• The subscapularis (rotator cuff)
• The teres minor (rotator cuff)
• The shoulder muscle
• The shoulder blade

Read more

• Supraspinatus — Wikipedia