Teres Minor
Musculus teres minor
Teres minor is the smallest rotator cuff muscle and works alongside the infraspinatus to externally rotate and stabilize the humeral head. It is the only cuff muscle innervated by the axillary nerve rather than the suprascapular or subscapular nerves. Training external rotation strengthens it and supports shoulder health during heavy pressing and overhead work.
- Actions
- Shoulder external rotation, Shoulder adduction (assists), Stabilization of the glenohumeral joint
- Origin
- Upper two-thirds of the lateral (posterior) border of the scapula
- Insertion
- Inferior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus
- Innervation
- Axillary nerve (C5, C6)
- Blood supply
- Circumflex scapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery
Synergists InfraspinatusSupraspinatusSubscapularis
Tendons Teres Minor Tendon
Exercises (8)
Trains as a primary mover
Assists in