Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff Muscles Home -> Advanced Training -> Muscular Anatomy -> Rotator Cuff Anatomy Anatomy Chart courtesy of FCIT The Rotator Cuff is a group of muscles that work in the shoulder joint to keep the humerus from popping out. This makes the Rotator Cuff critical for shoulder stability. There are four muscles in the Rotator Cuff: the Teres Minor, the Infraspinatus, the Supraspinatus and the Subscapularis (not pictured - it lies on the front aspect of the scapula) These muscles all work together to keep tension on the humerus, locking it into the shoulder joint. The Rotator Cuff is one of the primary areas of shoulder trauma; when someone has a shoulder injury, chances are very good that is related to injury in the Rotator Cuff. This trauma can be due to sudden injury or can be from overuse in undesirable movement patterns. The upright row exercise is a prime example of this undesirable movement pattern. Functions The main functions of the Rotator Cuff are shoulder joint stabilization and external rotation of the humerus (rotating the arm to the rear). Exercises Exercises that work the Rotator Cuff include: Lying side raises Three-in-one raises L-flyes Cable L-flyes Cuban Presses   Here is a list of unique exercises and articles for the shoulders that have been published in our monthly training newsletter "BetterU News", since we don't currently have any specific rotator cuff exercises in the archive yet (these links will open in new windows). Target: Rear Delts. One simple movement and they'll be on fire! Secret Training Tip #427 - Chain & Plate Side Delt Laterals Secret Training Tip # 709 - Improvise a Shoulder Press Machine Secret Training Tip #998 - Lying Rolling Floor Laterals...Simply THE Most Powerful, Results-Producing Rear Delt Exercise You Will EVER Use Secret Training Tip #991 - Pike Handstand Push-Ups and Horizontal Push-Ups Secret Training Tip #665 - The CURE For Stubborn Shoulders...The Two-Phase Barbell Shoulder Press