Greater tubercle

Greater tubercle
Left humerus. Anterior view. (Greater tubercle visible at right.)
Details
Identifiers
Latintuberculum majus humeri
TA98A02.4.04.005
TA21184
FMA23390
Anatomical terms of bone

The greater tubercle of the humerus is the outward part the upper end of that bone, adjacent to the large rounded prominence of the humerus head. It provides attachment points for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles, three of the four muscles of the rotator cuff, a muscle group that stabilizes the shoulder joint. In doing so the tubercle acts as a location for the transfer of forces from the rotator cuff muscles to the humerus.