Definition

1. Noun:
   • A group of muscles and tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder joint: The rotator cuff is a critical anatomical structure in the shoulder. It is formed by a group of four muscles and their tendons that attach the upper arm bone (humerus) to the shoulder blade (scapula). Its primary functions are to hold the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder joint and to enable a wide range of arm movements, particularly rotation and lifting.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • A tear in the rotator cuff can cause significant pain and limit mobility.
  • Physical therapy is often prescribed to strengthen the rotator cuff after an injury.
  • The surgeon repaired the damaged rotator cuff during the arthroscopic procedure.

Advanced Usage

• "Rotator cuff tear": A common injury where one or more of the tendons in the rotator cuff are torn, either partially or completely.
  • His rotator cuff tear required several months of rehabilitation.
• "Rotator cuff tendinitis": Inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff, often due to overuse.
  • The pitcher was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis.

Variants and Related Words

• Rotator cuff muscles: Refers specifically to the four muscles that make up the cuff: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
  • The supraspinatus is the most commonly injured of the rotator cuff muscles.

Synonyms

• Shoulder cuff: A less common but occasionally used synonym.
• Musculotendinous cuff: A more technical, anatomical term.

Related Phrases

(Note: As a specific anatomical noun, "rotator cuff" does not form standard phrasal verbs. Related phrases are medical/descriptive.) - Rotator cuff injury: A broad term for any damage to this structure. - He is recovering from a rotator cuff injury. - Rotator cuff syndrome: A term sometimes used for a collection of symptoms related to rotator cuff dysfunction.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms based on this specific anatomical term.)

Noun

1. a supporting structure of the shoulder consisting of the muscles and tendons that attach the arm to the shoulder joint and enable the arm to move