What Exactly IS the Rotator Cuff?

Rotor Cup, Rotary Cuff, Rotator Cup….we’ve heard them all - the string of names people use to refer to the main structure of the shoulder. The real term, just to clear things up, is rotator cuff. Often, when people come in with a diagnosed rotator cuff injury, we will ask them which muscle. The response is usually a blank stare followed by “well…..the rotator cuff….like I told you”. So, in the interest of further clarification, let’s talk about the different parts of the rotator cuff and what they do. Rotator cuff is a term referring to a group of four muscles that cross the shoulder joint and provide varying actions for the arm. These muscles are