Also called: teres major muscle
The teres major is a thick muscle that runs from the inferior angle of the scapula to the humerus. It inserts on the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus. The lower subscapular nerve supplies it, and it adducts, medially rotates and extends the arm.
| Origin | Dorsal surface of the inferior angle of the scapula. |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus. |
| Innervation | Lower subscapular nerve (C5-C6). |
| Blood supply | Circumflex scapular artery. |
| Action | Adducts, medially rotates and extends the arm. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The teres major is not part of the rotator cuff. It forms the inferior boundary of the quadrangular and triangular spaces on the back of the shoulder and lies alongside the latissimus dorsi tendon, which it accompanies to the humerus.
It assists latissimus dorsi in pulling the arm down and back.
No. The rotator cuff includes supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis.
Adduction, medial rotation and extension of the arm.
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