Teres Major

Joe Muscolino

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Posterior and anterior views of the teres major. In the posterior view, the deltoid has been ghosted in.

ATTACHMENTS:

  • The teres major attaches from the inferior angle and inferior lateral border of the scapula  to the medial lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus.

 

ACTIONS:

  • Medially rotates the arm at the glenohumeral joint
  • Adducts the arm at the glenohumeral joint
  • Extends the arm at the glenohumeral joint

 

NOTES:

  1. The teres major has the same glenohumeral joint actions as the latissimus dorsi (medial rotation, adduction, and extension). Fo this reason, some sources refer to the teres major as the helper to the latissimus dorsi.
  2. The latissimus dorsi and teres major comprise the posterior axillary fold of tissue.