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Deltoideus

Contents

Anatomy

 

Deltoideus - distance - anterior view
Deltoideus - distance - lateral view
Deltoideus - distance - posterior view

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • Lateral 1/3 of clavicula
  • Acromion
  • Spina scapula

Insertion

  • Tuberositas deltoidea humerus

Main function

  • Shoulder
    • Abduction (middle head)
    • Flexion (anterior head)
    • Medial rotation (anterior head)
    • Extension (posterior head)
    • Lateral rotation (posterior head)

Secondary function

  • Scapula
    • Downward rotation
  • Trunk
    • Ipsilateral rotation
    • Contralateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • C5-C6
  • Peripheral
    • Nervus axillaris

Arterial supply

  • Anterior circumflex humeral artery
  • Posterior circumflex humeral artery

Palpation middle deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Place your hand just proximally to the tuberositas deltoidea
  • Ask the patient to abduct the arm while you feel for the contraction

Palpation anterior deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Place your hand on the anterior aspect of the shoulder
  • Ask the patient to lift the arm in a flexion/elevation direction while you feel for the contraction of the muscle

Palpation posterior deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Place your hand just inferiorly to spina scapula
  • Ask the patient to perform an extension of the arm/shoulder while you feel for the contraction in the muscle

Strength test middle deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Ask the patient to hold the elbow in a flexed position while the arm is held in an abducted position
  • Give resistance in an adduction direction by pushing laterally on the upper arm just proximally to the elbow joint

Strength test anterior deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Ask the patient to hold the shoulder in abduction, and some degree of flexion and lateral rotation
  • Give resistance towards the anterolateral part of the shoulder in an adduction- and somewhat extension direction so that the patient is giving force towards abduction and flexion

Strength test posterior deltoid

  • Patient position
    • Sitting or standing
  • Ask the patient to hold the shoulder in abduction and somewhat extension and medial rotation
  • Give resistance towards the posterolateral part of the arm just outside the elbow in an adduction and somewhat flexion direction, so that the patient is giving force towards abduction and extension