The subscapularis muscle (French: muscle sous-scapulaire)- named from its position beneath the scapula - is a thick triangular and somewhat multipenniform sheet.

Origin

• The whole of the ventral surface of the scapula with the exception of the part near the neck, and the spaces at the upper and lower angles occupied by the serratus magnus;
• the lower two-thirds of the grooved outer border of the scapula;
• and the intermuscular septum between it and the teres minor and major muscles.

Insertion

The lesser tuberosity of the humerus, and the part of the shaft immediately below it ; the front of the capsular ligament of the shoulder joint.

Structure

Its origin is by fleshy fibres from the surface of the bone, and also by bipenniform bundles from the upper and lower surfaces of three or four septa I which are attached to the transverse ridges upon the venter scapulae, so that the whole muscle has a multipenniform arrangement. The fibres converge upwards and outwards upon a strong tendon which is hidden by fleshy fibres to within an inch of its insertion, the lower part of which is also fleshy. A bursa intervenes between the tendon and the base of the coracoid process, and is usually in connection with the shoulder joint.

Nerve-supply

From the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (through the fifth and sixth cervical nerves), by the short and part of the lower subscapular nerves. They enter the front surface of the muscle, the former near its upper, the latter near its outer border.

Action

It is the chief internal rotator of the humerus; at the same time it adducts it after it has been elevated. It also has an important influence in strengthening the shoulder joint by drawing the head of the humerus towards the glenoid cavity.

Relations

Its anterior and internal face forms the greater part of the posterior wall of the axilla, and is in contact with the serratus magnus, the short head of the biceps, and the coraco-brachialis, the axillary vessels with many of their branches, the brachial plexus and its branches, the lymphatic glands and vessels ; its outer border lies in contact with the teres major, the posterior circumflex and dorsal scapula vessels, and the circumflex nerve ; behind lie the long head of the triceps and the teres minor muscle, and the bursa which intervenes between its tendon and the, capsule of the shoulder joint.

Variations

Occasionally a separate slip arises from the axillary border of the scapula, and is inserted into the capsule of the shoulder joint or into the humerus.