Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific skeletal muscle of the upper limb: The "musculus teres major" is a thick, flat muscle of the shoulder. It originates on the dorsal surface of the inferior angle of the scapula and inserts into the medial lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus. Its primary functions are to adduct the arm (pull it toward the body), medially rotate the arm (turn it inward), and assist in extending the arm from a flexed position.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully identified the musculus teres major during the shoulder procedure.
  • A strain in the musculus teres major can cause significant pain and limit arm movement.
  • In anatomy class, we learned that the musculus teres major works in conjunction with the latissimus dorsi.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical/Medical Context: The term is used precisely in medical diagnoses, surgical reports, and physical therapy.
  • The MRI revealed a tear in the musculus teres major.
• Comparative Anatomy: Used when describing muscle homology across different species.
  • The musculus teres major in primates shows adaptations for brachiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Teres major: A common abbreviated form used interchangeably with "musculus teres major."
• Teres major muscle: Another full variant of the term.
• Musculus teres minor: A related, smaller shoulder muscle that acts as an external rotator, often studied in contrast to the teres major.

Synonyms

• Teres major
• Teres major muscle

Note: In technical anatomical contexts, there are no true synonyms, only alternate forms of the same Latin-derived term. In layman's terms, it might be loosely described as a "shoulder muscle," but this is not a precise synonym.

Related Phrases

• Teres major tendon: Refers specifically to the tendon of this muscle.
  • The inflammation was localized to the teres major tendon.
• Innervation of the teres major: Refers to the nerve supply (typically the lower subscapular nerve) controlling the muscle.

Noun

1. teres muscle that moves the arm and rotates it medially