Muscles / Shoulders
Subscapularis
- Shoulders
- Shoulder & scapula
- Deep layer
Anatomy
- Origin
- Subscapular fossa (costal surface of the scapula)
- Insertion
- Lesser tubercle of the humerus
- Nerve
- Upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5-C6 (C7))
Actions
- Medially rotates and adducts the arm
- Stabilises the humeral head anteriorly (rotator cuff)
Exercises that train it most
Also trained by
Notes
- Upper and lower portions are separately innervated and respond differently to exercise.
- Tested with the lift-off and belly-press tests.
References (5)
- Decker MJ, Tokish JM, Ellis HB, Torry MR, Hawkins RJ. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31(1):126-134. Subscapularis muscle activity during selected rehabilitation exercises
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e