All of the following are muscles of the rotator cuff except –
First, the core concept here is the anatomy of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. These are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Their tendons form a cuff around the humeral head, providing stability during movement.
Now, the correct answer would be a muscle that's not part of these four. Common incorrect options might include the deltoid, which is a major shoulder muscle but not part of the rotator cuff. Other possibilities could be the teres major, which is sometimes confused with teres minor, or the biceps brachii, which is in the arm but not the rotator cuff. The trapezius is another possible distractor, though it's more involved in scapular movement.
So, if the options include deltoid, that's the correct answer. The deltoid is responsible for shoulder abduction, but it's not part of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff muscles are specifically the four mentioned earlier. The other options, like teres minor or subscapularis, are part of the rotator cuff. The clinical pearl here is remembering the mnemonic SITS (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis) to recall the four muscles. If any other muscle is listed, like the deltoid, that's the exception.
**Core Concept**
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the glenohumeral joint. These muscles—**supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis**—originate from the scapula and insert on the proximal humerus, providing dynamic support to prevent dislocation during movement.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **deltoid** (if selected) is *not* a rotator cuff muscle. While it contributes to shoulder abduction, flexion, and extension, it lies superficial to the rotator cuff and acts as a prime mover rather than a stabilizer. The rotator cuff muscles work synergistically to compress the humeral head into the glenoid fossa, a function distinct from the deltoid’s role in gross movement.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Supraspinatus*—Correctly part of the rotator cuff; initiates shoulder abduction.
**Option B:** *Infraspinatus*—Correctly part of the rotator cuff; primary external rotator.
**Option C:** *Subscapularis*—Correctly part of the rotator cuff; primary internal rotator.
**Option D:** *Teres major*—Not a rotator cuff muscle but often confused with *teres minor*; assists in medial rotation and extension.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Use the mnemonic **SITS** (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis) to recall the true rotator cuff muscles. The **deltoid**