Infraspinatus

About the infraspinatus of the horse

Infraspinatus is a muscle of the front leg (thoracic limb), one on each side of the body. Its name in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria is Musculus infraspinatus. You can turn it above, see it in place in the front leg of the horse, and open it inside the whole animal in Vetomica.

Where it runs from and to

A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.

Origin

The infraspinous fossa and the scapular cartilage.

Insertion

(1) The lateral tuberosity of the humerus, distal to the lateral insertion of the supraspinatus; (2) the posterior eminence of the lateral tuberosity.

Action

To abduct the arm and rotate it outward. It also acts as a lateral ligament.

Nerve

The suprascapular nerve.

Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the horse; the books it was checked against are listed below.

Terminology

English

Infraspinatus

Latin (NAV)

Musculus infraspinatus

Status

A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria

The infraspinatus in other animals

The same structure in the other animals in the Library, to compare.

• Infraspinatus of the pig

Questions about the infraspinatus

What is the Latin name of the infraspinatus?

In the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria, the infraspinatus is called Musculus infraspinatus.

Where is the infraspinatus of the horse?

Infraspinatus is a muscle of the front leg (thoracic limb), one on each side of the body.

Where does the infraspinatus originate and insert?

Origin: The infraspinous fossa and the scapular cartilage. Insertion: (1) The lateral tuberosity of the humerus, distal to the lateral insertion of the supraspinatus; (2) the posterior eminence of the lateral tuberosity.

What nerve supplies the infraspinatus?

The suprascapular nerve.

What does the infraspinatus do?

To abduct the arm and rotate it outward. It also acts as a lateral ligament.