[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) › Teres minor tendon [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) # Teres minor tendon The teres minor tendon is the smallest rotator cuff tendon, at the back of the shoulder; it helps turn the arm outward. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=upper_limb&select=teres_minor_tendon&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The smallest rotator cuff tendon, at the back of the shoulder; it can take over outward rotation when the [infraspinatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus/) is torn. ## What it does Helps turn the arm outward. ## Key points - The only cuff tendon whose muscle is supplied by the axillary nerve; the others come from the suprascapular and [subscapular nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-and-lower-subscapular-nerves/) - Rarely torn on its own; when it survives a massive posterosuperior tear it keeps lateral rotation, and its loss gives the hornblower sign - Its muscle forms the upper border of both the quadrangular and the triangular spaces ## Key facts **Attaches** [Teres minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor/) to the inferior facet of the greater tubercle and the capsule below it **Function** Lateral rotation with the infraspinatus, more with the arm raised; holds the humeral head in the glenoid; supplied by the axillary nerve **Tight in** Medial rotation with the arm abducted ## Relations **Course** From the lateral border of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/) it runs up and laterally behind the shoulder joint to the lowest facet of the greater tubercle **Above** [Infraspinatus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infraspinatus-tendon/), often fused with it **Below** Quadrangular space ([axillary nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-nerve/) and posterior circumflex humeral artery) lateral to the long head of the triceps, triangular space (circumflex scapular artery) medial to it; the [teres major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-major/) below **Superficial** Posterior deltoid **Deep** Lower posterior [shoulder capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/shoulder-joint-capsule/), which it reinforces ## How to find it Felt below the infraspinatus along the lateral border of the scapula with the arm slightly abducted; resisted lateral rotation makes it firm under the posterior deltoid. The tendon itself is small and is better seen on ultrasound. ## Examination - Patte test and hornblower sign: with the arm abducted to 90° and the elbow bent, weak lateral rotation, or the need to lift the elbow to bring the hand to the mouth, means the teres minor is torn or wasted - Weak lateral rotation together with deltoid weakness and numbness over the lateral shoulder points to an axillary nerve injury rather than a tendon tear ## On imaging On sagittal MRI it is the lowest of the posterior cuff tendons; its bulk or fatty wasting is noted before repair of massive tears or reverse shoulder replacement. Isolated wasting suggests axillary nerve compression in the quadrangular space. ## Common problems - Rotator cuff tear, partial or full, from wear with age or from a fall; the most common cause of shoulder weakness. - Tendinopathy and impingement: pain lifting the arm and at night. - Calcific tendinitis: calcium deposits that cause sudden severe pain. ## How it is diagnosed Weakness and pain on cuff tests (for example the empty-can test). Ultrasound or MRI shows the tear size and muscle quality. ## Treatment - Physical therapy, pain medicines and sometimes injections, especially for partial and age-related tears. - Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with suture anchors for many full-thickness tears, especially recent ones in active people. - Reverse shoulder replacement for large, irreparable tears with arthritis. ## Clinical notes - Quadrangular space syndrome: compression of the axillary nerve below it (fibrous bands, a cyst, hypertrophy in overhead athletes) wastes the teres minor and deltoid - In massive cuff tears, a wasted teres minor means active lateral rotation is lost; a [latissimus dorsi](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/latissimus-dorsi-muscle/) tendon transfer may be considered to restore it - The plane between it and the infraspinatus gives access to the back of the shoulder joint; the axillary nerve lies just below it ## Anatomical variants - Its muscle may be fused with the infraspinatus ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which nerve supplies the muscle of the teres minor tendon, unlike the other cuff muscles? The axillary nerve; the other cuff muscles are supplied by the suprascapular and subscapular nerves. ## What sign indicates loss of the teres minor in a massive cuff tear? The hornblower sign: weak lateral rotation in 90° of abduction, so the elbow is lifted to bring the hand to the mouth. ## Where does the teres minor tendon insert? On the inferior facet of the greater tubercle and the capsule below it. ## Which spaces does the teres minor muscle border, and what syndrome wastes it? The upper border of the quadrangular and triangular spaces; quadrangular space syndrome compresses the axillary nerve, wasting teres minor and deltoid. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/teres-minor-tendon/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** tendo musculi teretis minoris TA2 2459 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Tendón del músculo redondo menor **English (TA2)** Teres minor tendon ## Related - [Teres minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor/) - [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Teres Minor Muscle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513324/); [Anatomy, Rotator Cuff](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441844/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor-tendon/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor-tendon/