Shoulder Articulations

Flexion

Bending the joint resulting in a decrease of angle; moving the upper arm upward to the front. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Elevation / Upward Rotation.

• Deltoid (anterior)
• Deltoid (lateral)
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
• Coracobrachialis
• Biceps brachii (short head)

Extension

Straightening the joint resulting in an increase of angle; moving the upper arm down to the rear. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Depression / Downward Rotation.

• Latissimus dorsi
• Deltoid (posterior)
• Pectoralis major (sternal head)
• Teres major
• Triceps brachii (long head)

Adduction

Medial movement toward the midline of the body; moving the upper arm down to the side toward the body. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Downward Rotation.

• Latissimus dorsi
• Pectoralis major (sternal head)
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
• Teres major
• Coracobrachialis
• Triceps brachii (long head)

Abduction

Lateral movement away from the midline of the body; moving the upper arm up to the side away from the body. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Upward Rotation. See Scapulohumeral Rythm.

• Deltoid (lateral)
• Deltoid (anterior)
• Supraspinatus
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)

Transverse Adduction

Medial movement toward the midline of the body in a horizontal plane; moving the upper arm toward and across the chest with the back of the arm facing down. Typically accompanies Shoulder Protraction.

• Pectoralis major (sternal head)
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
• Coracobrachialis

Transverse Flexion

Medial movement toward the midline of the body in a horizontal plane; moving the upper arm toward and across the chest with the elbows facing out to the sides. Typically accompanies Shoulder Protraction.

• Pectoralis major (sternal head)
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
• Deltoid (anterior)
• Coracobrachialis
• Biceps brachii (short head)

Transverse Abduction

Lateral movement away from the midline of the body in a horizontal plane; moving the upper arm away from the chest with the elbows facing down. Typically accompanies Shoulder Retraction.

• Deltoid (posterior)
• Deltoid (lateral)
• Infraspinatus
• Teres minor

Transverse Extension

Lateral movement away from the midline of the body in a horizontal plane; moving the upper arm away from the chest with the elbows out to the sides. Typically accompanies Shoulder Retraction.

• Deltoid (posterior)
• Latissimus dorsi
• Infraspinatus
• Teres minor

Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)

Rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of the bone toward the center of the body; turning the upper arm inward. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Protraction. See shoulder internal rotation inflexibility.

• Pectoralis major (sternal head)
• Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
• Latissimus dorsi
• Deltoid (anterior)
• Subscapularis
• Teres major
• Supraspinatus *

*When shoulder is flexed (Ackland DC, Pandy MG, 2011).

Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)

Rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of the bone away from the center of the body; turning the upper arm outward. Typically accompanies Shoulder Girdle Retration. See shoulder external rotation inflexibility.

• Teres minor
• Infraspinatus
• Deltoid (posterior)
• Supraspinatus *

*When shoulder is abducted (Ackland DC, Pandy MG, 2011).