Lateral view, left side

Cat information:
teres minor
origin:  caudal border of scapula
insertion:  by a short tendon to the
        tubercle immediately distal to
        the infraspinatus fossa on the
        greater tubercle of humerus
nerve:  axillary
action:  assists infraspinatus to rotate
        arm outward, flexion of arm

 Posterior view, left side Posterior (superficial) view of origin, right side
Posterior view of insertion, right side

 Human information:
teres minor
origin:  posterior surface of the scapula
        adjacent to the scapular axillary border
insertion:  inferior facet on posterior surface
        of the greater tubercle of
        humerus (inferior to insertion of infraspinatus)
nerve:  axillary (C5 and C6)
action:  lateral (external) rotation and horizontal
        abduction of arm

This is one of the four rotator cuff muscles.  If the axillary nerve is damaged and this muscle is no longer active, the individual will exhibit the condition known as head waiter's syndrome with medial rotation of the arm.  The above drawings of the origin and insertion might help visualize this information (red is the origin, blue the insertion).

COPYRIGHT 2008 by William C. Johnson II
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