MATT ROBERTS | TRAINING ARTICLES

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

By Jordan Callaghan

Anatomy and Physiology isn't the most glamorous of training based subjects, a deeper knowledge and understanding of it however can prove invaluable in one's quest for both aesthetic and performance perfection.

This is why in 500 words I am simply going to list all major muscles involved in the fundamental movements of the shoulder girdle and shoulder joint and also where each of these originate and insert. I had intended to cover all major joints but naturally the following script would be endless.

MUSCLES OF THE SHOULDER GIRDLE

Anterior Muscles

Pectoralis minor - origin, third, fourth and fifth rib. Insertion, coracoid process of the scapula.

Serratus anterior - origin, lateral aspect of upper nine rib. Insertion, anterior surface of vertebral (medial) border of scapula.

Subclavian muscle - origin, first rib. Insertion, subclavian groove of clavicle.

Posterior Muscles

Levator scapulae - origin, transverse processes of first four cervical vertebrae. Insertion, superior aspect of vertebral border of scapula.

Rhomboids - origin, spinous processes of seventh cervical through fifth thoracic vertebrae. Insertion, vertebral (medial) border of scapula.

Trapezius - origin, external occipital protuberance at base of skull and spinous processes of all cervical and thoracic vertebrae. Insertion, spine of the scapula and posterior surface of the clavicle.

MUSCLES OF THE SHOULDER JOINT

Anterior Muscles

Pectoralis major - origin, second to sixth rib, sternum and medial half of clavicle. Insertion, anterior area of surgical neck of humerous, distal to greater tuberosity.

Coracobrachialis - origin, coracoid process of scapula. Insertion, middle of medial side of humerous opposite deltoid tubercle on lateral side.

Biceps Brachii - origin, long head, supraglenoid tubercle on superior edge of glenoid of scapula. Short head, coracoid process of scapula. Insertion, both heads joined tuberosity of radius.

Subscapularis - origin, large subscapular fossa on anterior surface of scapula. Insertion, lesser tuberosity of humerous.

Posterior Muscles

Deltoid - origin, anterior portion, lateral portion of anterior aspect of anterior aspect of clavicle. Middle portion, lateral edge of acromion process of scapula. Posterior portion, inferior edge of spine of scapula. Insertion, deltoid tubercle on lateral surface of middle of humerous.

Supraspinatus - origin, supraspinous fossa of scapula. Insertion, proximal facet of greater tuberosity of humerous.

Posterior Muscles

Infraspinatus - origin, infraspinous fossa beneath inferior surface of spine of scapula. Insertion, middle facet of greater tuberosity of humerous.

Teres Minor - origin, upper and middle portions of lateral border of scapula. Insertion, distal facet of greater tuberosity of humerous.

Inferior Muscles

Latissimus Dorsi - origin, spinous processes of lower six thoracic and all five lumbar vertebrae, posterior aspect of ilium, lower three ribs and inferior angle of scapula. Insertion, edge of intertubercular groove on anterior aspect of humerous.

Teres Major - origin, lower portion of lateral border of scapula and its inferior angle. Insertion, area just inferior to lesser tuberosity of humerous.

Triceps Brachii - origin, long head, infraglenoid tubercle of glenoid lip of scapula. Insertion, all three heads, common tendon on the olecranon process of the ulna.