Teres Major, Posterior View

Description

Posterior surface anatomy of the male shoulder girdle is rendered with the teres major traced from the inferior angle and adjacent lateral border of the scapula toward its humeral insertion on the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus. Along its superomedial margin, the muscle lies inferior to the infraspinatus and teres minor, while laterally it forms the lower boundary of the posterior axillary fold as it converges with the latissimus dorsi tendon. Trapezius and the broad latissimus dorsi sheet frame the region, with the vertebral column in the midline and the triceps brachii and posterior deltoid defining the posterior arm contour. Fiber direction is clear. This posterior perspective matters when you need to teach or plan around the axillary border and posterior shoulder spaces: teres major marks the inferior boundary of the quadrangular space and the superior boundary of the triangular interval, placing it in direct anatomic conversation with the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery superiorly and the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery inferiorly. Surgeons working through a posterior approach to the shoulder or performing tendon transfers (latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears) rely on these relationships to identify the musculotendinous units and avoid traction or transection injuries. Palpation and injection techniques around the posterior axillary fold also benefit from seeing how closely teres major and latissimus dorsi blend as they pass anterior to the long head of triceps. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and kinesiology teaching to contrast teres major internal rotation and adduction with the rotator cuff, and in orthopedic or sports medicine publications discussing posterior shoulder pain patterns, tendon transfer planning, or posterior axillary fold anatomy. It also supports surgical anatomy modules on the quadrangular space, triangular space, and triangular interval in relation to the scapula and proximal humerus. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.