Why is pectoralis important?
The pectoralis major’s primary functions are flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus. The pectoral major may colloquially be referred to as “pecs”, “pectoral muscle” or “chest muscle” due to it being the largest and most superficial muscle in the chest area.
What is an interesting fact about the pectoralis major?
The pectoralis major is the superior most and largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla.
How is the pectoralis major used in sports?
The pectoralis major muscle forms the anterior wall of the axilla. This muscle serves several functions, such as adduction and medial rotation of the humerus. Thus it is used in many sports when arms act to push away a weight or during climbing when one arm pulls the body up to the other arm, which is fixed.
What would happen if there is damage to the pectoralis major muscle?
¹ Pectoralis major injuries can range from contusions (bruises) and inflammation to complete tears and frequently result in pain, weakness, deformity in the contour of the chest, and, ultimately, a decline in overall shoulder function.
How does the pectoralis major affect the movement of the shoulder?
When the arm is in the anatomical position, the pectoralis major acts as a strong adductor and internal rotator of the humerus at the shoulder joint. Acting independently, the clavicular portion of the muscle flexes the humerus up to 90 degrees in a horizontal plane.
What is the action of pectoralis major?
| Pectoralis major | |
|---|---|
| Actions | Clavicular head: flexes the humerus Sternocostal head: horizontal and vertical adduction, extension, and internal rotation of the humerus Depression and abduction of the scapula. |
| Antagonist | Deltoid muscle, Trapezius |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Musculus pectoralis major |
What is the function of the pectoralis major for kids?
Images for kids The function of the pectoralis major is different for its different heads. The clavicular head flexes the humerus, and the sternocostal head adducts the humerus. As a whole the action is to adduct and medially rotate the humerus. It also draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly.
What do the pectorals do for kids?
PECS enables a child to communicate effectively with other people. It is particularly useful for children who are non-verbal, have limited or unclear speech and/or do not use a functional communication system in the home/preschool/school environment.
What does the pectoralis major allow you to do?
The pectoralis major extends across the upper part of the chest and is attached to a ridge at the rear of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm). Its major actions are adduction, or depression, of the arm (in opposition to the action of the deltoideus muscle) and rotation of the arm forward about the axis of the body.
What does pectoralis major pain feel like?
What are the symptoms of a pectoralis major strain? The first sensation felt when the pectoralis major muscle is torn is sudden pain. This pain is usually felt at the front of the armpit and is sometimes felt across the chest. At the same time you may also feel something ‘tearing’ in your chest.
Do pec tears heal?
Pectoralis tears generally heal very well. It can take at least 6 months until you are back in the gym and back to your normal routine. It can take a year or more until you have normal strength, although that might occur earlier in many of you.
What is pectoralis major muscle?
Pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped muscle contributing to the thoracobrachial motion. It consists of a clavicular part and a sternal part, both converging to a flat tendon that inserts on the humerus. It’s innervated by both medial and lateral pectoral nerves.
