Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific muscle of the shoulder: The teres major is a thick, somewhat flattened muscle of the upper limb. It originates on the dorsal surface of the inferior angle of the scapula (shoulder blade) and inserts into the intertubercular groove of the humerus (upper arm bone).
   • Primary function: Its action is to adduct the arm (pull it toward the body) and medially rotate the arm (rotate it inward). It also assists in extending the arm from a flexed position.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The teres major works in conjunction with the latissimus dorsi during pulling movements.
  • An injury to the teres major can cause pain and limit the range of motion in the shoulder.
  • During the dissection, we identified the origin and insertion points of the teres major.

Advanced Usage

• Anatomical relationships: The teres major forms the inferior border of the quadrangular space and the superior border of the triangular space in the axilla (armpit), through which important nerves and vessels pass.
• Clinical context: "Teres major syndrome" refers to pain and dysfunction caused by strain or trigger points in this muscle, often mimicking other shoulder pathologies.

Variants and Related Words

• Teres minor (noun): A smaller, parallel rotator cuff muscle that laterally rotates the arm, often studied in contrast to the teres major.
• Latissimus dorsi (noun): A large back muscle with which the teres major is functionally synergistic, both contributing to arm adduction and medial rotation.

Synonyms

• Major teres muscle: A less common alternative name.
• (Note: In precise anatomical terminology, there are no true synonyms; "teres major" is the specific, standardized term.)

Related Phrases

• Teres major tendon: Refers specifically to the tendon by which the muscle attaches to the humerus.
• Teres major transfer: A surgical procedure where the tendon of the teres major is relocated to restore function, for example, in cases of nerve palsy.

Related Idioms

(This anatomical term does not have associated idioms in common language.)

Noun

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