Anatomy
Upper Limb
A 59 year old man presents to the ED complaining of pain and weakness in his left shoulder. You note medial rotation and extension of the shoulder is weak, you suspect this is due to weakness of the teres major. The teres major muscle is attached to which of the following structures:
Answer:
The teres major muscle originates from a large oval region on the posterior surface of the inferior angle of the scapula. The broad cord-like muscle passes superiorly and laterally and ends as a flat tendon that inserts onto the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus on the anterior surface of the humerus.Teres Major Muscle
Anatomy / Upper Limb / Axilla
Last Updated: 8th April 2019
The teres major muscle passes from the inferior angle of the scapula to the upper humerus and contributes to the posterior axillary skin fold laterally.
Table: Function and Innervation of the Teres Major Muscle
| Muscle | Teres Major |
|---|---|
| Origin | Posterior surface of inferior angle of scapula |
| Distal Attachment | Medial lip of intertubercular sulcus on humerus |
| Function | Medial rotation and extension of arm at glenohumeral joint |
| Innervation | Lower subscapular nerve |
Origin
The teres major muscle originates from a large oval region on the posterior surface of the inferior angle of the scapula.
Insertion
The broad cord-like muscle passes superiorly and laterally and ends as a flat tendon that inserts onto the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus on the anterior surface of the humerus.
Function
The teres major medially rotates and extends the humerus at the glenohumeral joint.
Innervation
The teres major muscle is innervated by the lower subscapular nerve.
![Modified by FRCEM Success. Original by Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://mrcemsuccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Teres-Major.png)
Teres Major Muscle. (Image modified by FRCEM Success. Original by Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)
Report A Problem
Is there something wrong with this question? Let us know and we’ll fix it as soon as possible.
Loading Form...
- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
