Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb - Muscle Structure, Origin, Insertion, Action, Stretch

Oct 12, 2026

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Muscles of the neck and thoracic limb are organized into structured reference tables listing each muscle’s anatomic structure, origin, insertion, specific actions, and recommended stretches. The content covers key shoulder stabilizers and movement drivers (e.g., supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, deltoid) as well as elbow and forelimb contributors (anconeus, triceps, biceps, carpal extensor/flexor groups). Stretch guidance and action descriptions support functional understanding of locomotion and positioning.

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Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb

Muscles and their functional tables (structure, origin, insertion, action(s), stretch)

Muscles of the Trunk and Pelvis

Transversospinalis system (listed with nerve and vertebral relationships)

Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb | Structure | Origin | Insertion | Action(s) | Stretch | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Nuchal Ligament | First 3 Thoracic Spinous Processes | Dorsal Spinous Process of C2 | Support the head and prevent excessive ventroflexion
Proprioception for head/neck placement | N/A | | Supraspinatus
N: Suprascapular (C6-C7) | Supraspinous Fossa | Greater Tubercle, anterior to Infraspinatus | Shoulder extension
Stabilize the shoulder joint
Proprioception in tendon | Shoulder flexion | | Infraspinatus
N: Suprascapular (C6-C7) | Infraspinous Fossa | Lateral Greater Tubercle, between the Supraspinatus and Teres Minor tendons | Shoulder extension and flexion Abduction of the humerus Lateral rotation of the humerus stabilizes the shoulder joint | Shoulder flexion or extension Internal rotation of the humerus Adduction of the humerus | | Teres Minor
N: Axillary (C7-C8) | Distal 1/3 of caudal border of scapula | Greater Tubercle, caudal to Infraspinatus tendon | Shoulder flextion
External rotation of the humerus | Shoulder extension
Internal rotation of the humerus | | Deltoideus
Spinous Head (S)
Acromial Head (A)
N: Axillary (C7-C8) | S: Spine of Scapula
A: Acromion | Deltoid Tuberosity of Humerus (both heads) | Both Heads: Shoulder flexion
Both Heads: Abduction of the humerus | Both Heads: Shoulder extension
Both Heads: Adduction of the humerus | | Teres Major
N: Axillary (C7-C8) | Caudal angle and border of Scapula | Teres Major tuberosity of Humerus | Shoulder flexion
Adduction of the humerus Internal rotation of the humerus | Shoulder extension
Abduction of the humerus (scapula should be stabilized
External rotation of the humerus | © 2026 Canine Rehabilitation Institute Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb | Structure | Origin | Insertion | Action(s) | Stretch | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Subscapularis
N: Subscapular (C6-C7) | Subscapular Fossa on the medial aspect of the scapula | Lesser Tubercle of the humerus via think, short, strong tendon
This tendon unites intimately with the joint capdule of the shoulder | Shoulder extension
Adduction of the humerus
Internal rotation of the humerus The tendon functions as a medial collateral ligament of the shoulder joint
Stabilizes the shoulder joint while in flexion | Shoulder flexion
(and elbow flexion to allow for stretch) External rotation of the humerus Abduction of the humerus | | Anconeus
N: Radial (C7-T1) | Caudal aspect of the humerus (from medial to lateral epicondyles) | Lateral surface of the proximal ulna | Elbow extension
Resists elbow felxion during quiet standing | Elbow Flexion | | Triceps Brachii
Medial Head (M)
Accessory (A)
Lateral Head (La)
Long Head (Lo)
N: Radial (C7-T1) | M: Medial surface of the humerus
A: Neck of the humerus
La: Proximal lateral humerus
Lo: Caudal border of scapula | All heads insert on the Olecranon | M: Elbow extension
A: Elbow extension
La: Elbow extension
Lo: Elbow extension and shoulder flexion | Shoulder extension Elbow flexion | | Biceps Brachii
N: Musculocutaneous (C6-C8) | Supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula | Medial ulna and radisu, just distal to the elbow joint | Shoulder extension
Elbow flexion
Stabilizes the shoulder | Shoulder flexin
Elbow extension | | Extensor Carpi Radialis
N: Radial (C7-T1) | Lateral condylar crest of the humerus | Bases (proximal end) of MC 2 &
3 on the dorsal surface | Elbow flexion (weak)
Carpal extension | Elbow extension Carpal flexion | | Common Digital Extensor
N: Radial (C7-T1) | Lateral epicondyle of the humerus | Extensor process of the distal phalanx (P3) of digits II-V | Carpal extension
Digits of the carpus (II-V) extension | Elbow extension Carpal flexion | © 2026 Canine Rehabilitation Institute Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb | Structure | Origin | Insertion | Action(s) | Stretch | | --- | --- | --- |

FAQs

What information is provided for each muscle in the tables?

Each entry includes the muscle structure, origin, insertion, action(s), and a stretch recommendation.

Which muscles are described as stabilizing and controlling shoulder motion?

Supraspinatus is noted for shoulder joint stabilization and extension, infraspinatus for shoulder extension/flexion and lateral rotation, and teres minor for external rotation with related shoulder actions.

How does the document handle elbow and carpal movement muscles?

It lists muscles such as anconeus and triceps for elbow extension, biceps for elbow flexion, and extensor carpi radialis/common digital extensor for carpal extension, plus digital and carpal flexors for flexion actions.

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Fans