Rotator cuff
A group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Each of the four tendons hooks up to a muscle that moves the shoulder in a specific direction. The four muscles whose tendons form the rotator cuff are: The subscapularis muscle, which moves the arm by turning it inward (internal rotation); The supraspinatus muscle, which is responsible for elevating the arm and moving it away from the body; The infraspinatus muscle, which assists the lifting of the arm during turning the arm outward (external rotation); The teres minor muscle, which (like the infraspinatus) helps in the outward turning (external rotation) of the arm.
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rotator cuff -.kəf n a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of part of its capsule blended with tendons of the subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and teres minor muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the humerus
called also musculotendinous cuff
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a musculotendinous structure about the capsule of the shoulder joint, formed by the inserting fibers of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles, blending with the capsule, and providing mobility and strength to the shoulder joint.
Medical dictionary.
2011.