Biomaterial Database

Understanding the Importance of the Teres Minor for Shoulder Function: Functional Anatomy and Pathology. 2018

Matthew D Williams, and Thomas Bradley Edwards, and Gilles Walch

From Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists, Lafayette, LA (Dr. Williams), the Fondren Orthopedic Group, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Houston, TX (Dr. Edwards), and the Centre Orthopédique Santy, Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz, Ramsay Générale de Santé, Lyon, France (Dr. Walch).

Although the teres minor is often overlooked in a normal shoulder, it becomes a key component in maintaining shoulder function when other rotator cuff tendons fail. The teres minor maintains a balanced glenohumeral joint and changes from an insignificant to the most significant external rotator in the presence of major rotator cuff pathology. The presence or absence of the teres minor provides prognostic information on the outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty and tendon transfers. Clinical tests include the Patte test, the Neer dropping sign, the external rotation lag sign, and the Hertel drop sign. Advanced imaging of the teres minor can be used for classification using the Walch system. Understanding the function and pathology surrounding the teres minor is paramount in comprehensive management of the patient with shoulder pathology. Appropriate clinical examination and imaging of the teres minor are important for preoperative stratification and postoperative expectations.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000070599	Shoulder Injuries	Injuries involving the SHOULDERS and SHOULDER JOINT.	SLAP Tears,Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior Injuries,Injuries, Shoulder,Injury, Shoulder,SLAP Tear,Shoulder Injury,Tear, SLAP,Tears, SLAP
D000072228	Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder	Replacement of the SHOULDER JOINT.	Shoulder Replacement Arthroplasty,Total Shoulder Replacement,Arthroplasties, Shoulder Replacement,Arthroplasty, Shoulder Replacement,Replacement Arthroplasties, Shoulder,Replacement Arthroplasty, Shoulder,Replacement, Total Shoulder,Replacements, Total Shoulder,Shoulder Replacement Arthroplasties,Shoulder Replacement, Total,Shoulder Replacements, Total,Total Shoulder Replacements
D012782	Shoulder	Part of the body in humans and primates where the arms connect to the trunk. The shoulder has five joints; ACROMIOCLAVICULAR joint, CORACOCLAVICULAR joint, GLENOHUMERAL joint, scapulathoracic joint, and STERNOCLAVICULAR joint.	Shoulders
D012785	Shoulder Joint	The articulation between the head of the HUMERUS and the glenoid cavity of the SCAPULA.	Glenohumeral Joint,Glenoid Labrum,Glenohumeral Joints,Joint, Glenohumeral,Joint, Shoulder,Joints, Glenohumeral,Joints, Shoulder,Labrum, Glenoid,Shoulder Joints
D013709	Tendon Transfer	Surgical procedure by which a tendon is incised at its insertion and placed at an anatomical site distant from the original insertion. The tendon remains attached at the point of origin and takes over the function of a muscle inactivated by trauma or disease.	Tendon Transfers,Transfer, Tendon,Transfers, Tendon
D016059	Range of Motion, Articular	The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES.	Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint
D016896	Treatment Outcome	Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series.	Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D017006	Rotator Cuff	The musculotendinous sheath formed by the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor muscles. These help stabilize the HUMERAL HEAD in the GLENOID CAVITY of the SCAPULA and allow for rotation of the SHOULDER JOINT about its longitudinal axis.	Cuff, Rotator,Infraspinatus,Subscapularis,Supraspinatus,Teres Minor,Rotator Cuffs
D020069	Shoulder Pain	Unilateral or bilateral pain of the shoulder. It is often caused by physical activities such as work or sports participation, but may also be pathologic in origin.	Pain, Shoulder,Pains, Shoulder,Shoulder Pains