Supraspinatus Muscle, Posterior View

Description

Occupying the supraspinous fossa, the supraspinatus muscle lies superior to the scapular spine and deep to the posterior deltoid, its fibers converging laterally beneath the acromion toward a broad tendon. Lateral to the scapular body, the proximal humerus and greater tubercle provide the insertion site, with the glenohumeral joint line sitting anterolateral to the scapular spine and the infraspinatus positioned inferiorly across the infraspinous fossa. Medially, the muscle belly approaches the medial border of the scapula, while laterally it narrows toward the subacromial space. Clear posterior topography. Posterior visualization of supraspinatus is the workhorse view for teaching the rotator cuff footprint on the greater tubercle and explaining why impingement concentrates under the acromion. Tendinopathy and partial thickness tears often involve the articular side near the anterior supraspinatus, and that pathology maps directly onto the tendon’s lateral course as it passes under the coracoacromial arch into the superior facet. For operative planning, this anatomy frames the subacromial decompression corridor and the arthroscopic landmarks used during cuff repair when approaching the tendon insertion and adjacent infraspinatus interval. Ideal for musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology modules covering shoulder abduction initiation (often tested as the first 15 degrees) and for orthopaedic and sports medicine texts discussing rotator cuff tears, subacromial bursitis, and postoperative repair constructs. It also supports patient education materials that need a straightforward posterior shoulder reference on a male figure. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.