Anat. [mod.L., f. L. suprā SUPRA- 1 b + spīna SPINE: see -ATE2.] A muscle arising from the supraspinal fossa of the scapula, and inserted into the greater tuberosity of the humerus, serving to raise and adduct the arm.
[1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Supra Spinatus, or Supra Scapularis, is a Muscle … placed above the Spine of the Shoulder-blade.]
1733. G. Douglas trans. Winslow’s Anat. (1756), I. 291. The Supra-Spinatus is commonly supposed to join with the Deltoides in lifting up the Arm.
1828. Quain, Elem. Anat., 161. It [sc. the capsular ligament] receives additions from the tendons of the supra and infra spinatus muscles.
1875. Sir W. Turner, in Encycl. Brit., I. 838/2. The muscles which cause these movements are inserted into the humerus; the supra-spinatus, infra-spinatus, and teres minor into the great tuberosity; the sub-scapularis into the small tuberosity.
