English

Diagram of the muscles in the left shoulder, as seen from behind. Three of the rotator cuff muscles are visible.

Noun

rotator cuff ‎(plural rotator cuffs)

1. A set of four smaller muscles in the shoulder responsible for rotating the humerus (upper arm bone).
   • 1988, Frederick C. Hatfield, "Powersource: Ties that bind", Ironman 47 (6): 21.

     In my quest for world records, I ruined both my rotator cuffs. The cuff, a group of four relatively small (but important) shoulder muscles which control inward and outward rotation of the humerus, is particularly vulnerable to the kind of trauma gymnastics, weighlifting and powerlifting inflict.

Hypernyms

• scapulohumeral

Hyponyms

• infraspinatus
• subscapularis
• supraspinatus
• teres minor

Translations