Anatomy and Function

Reviewed by Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC | Last updated May 2026

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These tendons blend with the shoulder capsule and attach around the humeral head.

The cuff compresses and centers the humeral head within the glenoid helping larger muscles such as the deltoid move the arm. A healthy cuff allows elevation, rotation, reaching overhead, dressing, lifting, and sleeping comfortably.

Rotator cuff anatomy illustration
Rotator cuff anatomy.