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Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 9/2022

Open Access 12-08-2022 | Original Article

An unreported infraspinatus muscle variation—two-headed infraspinatus minor muscle and three-headed fusion with the teres minor muscle

Authors: Krzysztof Koptas, Nicol Zielinska, R. Shane Tubbs, Łukasz Olewnik

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 9/2022

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Abstract

The infraspinatus muscle is situated under the scapular spine in the infraspinous fossa and inserts into the greater tuberosity of the humerus. It is a component of a crucial shoulder muscle group, the rotator cuff. There are a few interesting additional muscles in the infraspinal region. In the literature they are called the infraspinatus superficialis, infraspinatus minor and infraspinatus accessory muscles. The infraspinatus minor muscle is described as a superficial muscle bundle running under the scapular spine. During routine anatomical dissection, an unreported variation of the infraspinatus minor muscle was found. It derived from the inferior surface of the scapular spine and the infraspinous fossa. It had two heads. The superior head inserted on the greater tuberosity of the humerus. The inferior head inserted on the tendinous part of the infraspinatus muscle. There was also an unusual fusion of the infraspinatus muscle with the teres minor muscle. In this paper we will discuss the anatomical and physiological relationships of this morphological variation.
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Metadata
Title
An unreported infraspinatus muscle variation—two-headed infraspinatus minor muscle and three-headed fusion with the teres minor muscle
Authors
Krzysztof Koptas
Nicol Zielinska
R. Shane Tubbs
Łukasz Olewnik
Publication date
12-08-2022
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02999-4

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