Teres Minor
Shoulder & Scapula · Upper Limb
Teres Minor belongs to the Shoulder & Scapula group of the Upper Limb. Originating at Superior part of lateral border of scapula, it inserts at Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus. It is responsible for several movements: Lateral (external) rotation of arm; stabilizes glenohumeral joint. It is innervated by the Axillary nerve (C5, C6).
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Superior part of lateral border of scapula
Insertion
Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Action
Lateral (external) rotation of arm; stabilizes glenohumeral joint
Nerve
Axillary nerve (C5, C6)
Attachments explained
The Teres Minor is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.
Origin
Superior part of lateral border of scapula
Insertion
Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
Action & function
When the Teres Minor contracts, it produces the following movements: Lateral (external) rotation of arm; stabilizes glenohumeral joint.
As part of the Shoulder & Scapula group of the Upper Limb, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.
Nerve supply & clinical relevance
The Teres Minor receives its nerve supply from the Axillary nerve (C5, C6). This nerve carries fibres from spinal segment(s) C5, C6.
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Axillary nerve or to its spinal roots (C5, C6) can weaken or paralyse the Teres Minor, impairing the movements it normally produces (lateral (external) rotation of arm). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Teres Minor (the OIANS method)
OIANS stands for Origin, Insertion, Action and Nerve, the four facts that uniquely define every skeletal muscle. To learn the Teres Minor, work through them in order: picture its origin, trace the muscle to its insertion, reason out the action that shortening between those two points must create, then add the nerve that drives it.
Most students remember the Teres Minor fastest by linking its action back to its attachments rather than memorising each fact in isolation. Once the origin and insertion make sense, the action usually follows logically.
Teres Minor quick facts
- Region
- Upper Limb
- Group
- Shoulder & Scapula
- Origin
- Superior part of lateral border of scapula
- Insertion
- Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
- Action
- Lateral (external) rotation of arm; stabilizes glenohumeral joint
- Nerve
- Axillary nerve (C5, C6)
- Spinal roots
- C5, C6
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Teres Minor located?
The Teres Minor is a muscle of the Shoulder & Scapula group, located in the Upper Limb.
What is the origin of the Teres Minor?
Superior part of lateral border of scapula
What is the insertion of the Teres Minor?
Inferior facet of greater tubercle of humerus
What movements does the Teres Minor produce?
Lateral (external) rotation of arm; stabilizes glenohumeral joint
What nerve supplies the Teres Minor?
Axillary nerve (C5, C6)
Is the Teres Minor free to study in OIANS?
Yes. The Teres Minor is free in OIANS: its full origin, insertion, action and nerve details are open to everyone in the Muscle Directory, and because it belongs to the Upper Limb it is also covered by the free Quiz and Flashcard decks. The other regions, the "All Muscles" deck, and the Progress and Explore tools are unlocked with a one-time Lifetime purchase.
Related muscles
Study the Teres Minor
Test yourself on Upper Limb muscles with interactive quizzes and flashcards in the free OIANS app.
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