Deltoid

Synonyms

Latin: M.. deltoideus

introduction

The shoulder forms a large, three-sided muscle approx. 2 cm thick. The deltoid muscle is similar in shape to the inverted Greek delta, which is how it gets its name. The muscle consists of three parts: the anterior deltoid originates from the collarbone, the middle and posterior part from the shoulder blade. The common insertion of the deltoid muscle is on the upper third of the humerus. The deltoid muscle is innervated by the Axillary nerve, that's a nerve from the Brachial plexus.
The brachial plexus is a plexus of nerves that originates in the neck area of ​​the spinal cord. The nerves that emerge from this network supply the muscles on the shoulder, arm and hand.

Figure deltoid

Illustration of the deltoid muscle (Musculus deltoideus): right shoulder seen from behind (A) and from the side (B).

Deltoid
(Deltoid muscle)

  1. Deltoid -
    (1a. + 1b. + 1c.)
    Deltoid muscle
    1a. Posterior deltoid
    (Bone part) -
    Pars spinalis
    1b. Middle deltoid
    (Shoulder height part) -
    Pars acromialis
    1c. Anterior deltoid
    (Clavicle part) -
    Pars clavicularis
  2. Scapula bone -
    Spina scapulae
  3. Shoulder blade - Scapula
  4. Collarbone - Clavicle
  5. Upper arm shaft -
    Corpus humeri

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

The different parts of the M. deltoideus have depending on their position to the axis of movement and position to the humerus (Humerus) various functions that can act both synergistically and antagonistically.
The muscle is particularly important for abduction, which means spreading the arm to the side from the body. The anterior deltoid can move the arm forward (Anteversion), rotate inward and pull towards the body (Adduction), from an angle of 60-90 ° it helps the middle muscle part with abduction.
The rear part of the deltoid moves the arm backwards (Retro version), rotates outwards and also pulls - like the anterior deltoid - the arm towards the body (Adduction). From 60-90 ° it also supports the middle part of the abduction.
The function of the middle part consists solely of abduction.

Rotator movements are mainly performed by the rotator cuff, which are additional muscles on the shoulder joint, including the supra- and infraspinatus, the subscapularis and the teres minor muscles. The respective parts of the deltoid muscle support these movements.

Due to its location directly under the skin, the trisection can be easily recognized in slim and defined people. It is the largest muscle in the shoulder muscles.
The deltoid muscle is specifically trained in weight training.
Due to its tension, the deltoid muscle can move the arm in all directions of movement; its most important function is to raise the arm laterally, especially when it is spread over 90 °.

training

The deltoid muscle can be effectively trained with a Dumbbell.
To train the front muscles, the poor stretched forward that Elbow are slightly bent with the palms facing forward or up. Now the dumbbells are leveled (approx head height) can be raised and lowered again as steadily as possible, ideally without gaining momentum beforehand. During this exercise, you should be around shoulder width and with knees slightly bent stand.

For the middle deltoid, a lateral raising of the arms up to the horizontal, the posture corresponds to the exercise for the front muscle part.
To train the posterior deltoid, the upper body is bent far forward. As with normal lateral raises, the arms are raised sideways without swing until they are horizontal.

Depending on the goal, these exercises can be performed with different intensities and to different extents. It should be noted that the shoulder joint has the peculiarity of being extremely flexible compared to other joints. This range of motion is only possible at the expense of stability.
That means that the shoulder joint is great vulnerable to injury and unstable is, but enables complex and extensive movements. Therefore, the personal fitness and resilience of the shoulders should be taken into account during training.

For health sports or when starting to build muscle 55-60% of maximum strength With 15-20 repetitions recommended. The scope of the training should be approx. three sets per exercise amount to (so 3 x 15 repetitions). There should be a break of about a minute between sets.
Anyone who does fitness training and wants to further increase muscle growth should start with approx. 70-75% train the maximum strength. For that are 10-15 repetitions to recommend the total four times should be carried out. Again, there should be a break of one to two minutes between sets.

For bodybuilding, targeted muscle building and definition, the exercises should be high intensity, that is 75-80% of maximum strength, operate. The workout should 8-10 repetitions include that four to six times be repeated. The break between sets should be around two to three minutes.

Appointment with a shoulder specialist

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is Carmen Heinz. I am a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery in the specialist team of .

The shoulder joint is one of the most complicated joints in the human body.

The treatment of the shoulder (rotator cuff, impingement syndrome, calcified shoulder (tendinosis calcarea, biceps tendon, etc.) therefore requires a lot of experience.
I treat a wide variety of shoulder diseases in a conservative way.
The aim of any therapy is treatment with full recovery without surgery.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

  • Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
    Kaiserstrasse 14
    60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
You can find more information about myself at Carmen Heinz.

How is the muscle stretched?

Since the Deltoid (Musculus deltoideus) has several parts, it must also be stretched through various exercises. In order to stretch the front part of the deltoid muscle, the arm is held against a wall in a similar way to stretching the chest muscle. The upper body is tried to turn away from this. (see picture)

With the rear part of the shoulder muscles the attempt is made to push the arm to be stretched towards the head (see picture)

General information can also be found under our topic: Stretching.

function

The deltoid muscle (Musculus deltoideus) is by the vom shoulder blade coming middle section to the main lifter of the arm.

The deltoid allows the arm to move in all directions (dimensions).
Key blade portion (Pars clavicularis):

  • Highlight (Anteversion) of the arm
  • Incentive (Adduction) from the arm
  • Internal rotation from the arm

Shoulder roof portion (Pars acromialis):

  • Abspreitzung (Abduction) from the arm

Rear portion (Pars spinalis):

  • Splay (Abduction) from the arm
  • External rotation from the arm
  • Lifting back (Retroversion) from the arm

You can find information on all forms of movement here in one Overview of forms of movement

strain

Strains, also Distances called, are excessive muscle stretches that are usually caused by a sudden overload of a muscle arise. Typically, jerky movements such as suddenly stopping or changing direction lead to a strain.
The muscle tissue is overstretched, but remains intact, in contrast to the Torn hamstring or Muscle tear.

Pulled muscles can be very painful, but usually heal by themselves. Depending on the severity, this can be up to several weeks The symptoms usually go away after a few days. In theory, strains can be contracted in any muscle, including the deltoid muscle, including when lifting weights that are too heavy, e.g. at the bench press.

Symptoms of the strain

The main symptom of a strain is a sudden, initially stabbing pain in the affected muscle, which is retained for several days when this muscle is used. It comes to Edema formationwhat water leaks from the Vessels in the surrounding tissue means. This phenomenon takes the form of a swelling perceived.

If the strain is severe, a bruise can form in the surrounding tissue, which can cause further pain due to the pressure on neighboring structures.
Furthermore, pain can arise with chronic overloading or incorrect loading, especially with Relief posturestaken by other shoulder injuries.

The starting point of the deltoid muscle on Humerus is a so-called Trigger point. This means that pressure on this area causes pain in almost all forms of shoulder pain. Therefore, this point is unsuitable for diagnosis, as it is very unspecific, but it should be taken into account in therapy.

Pain, injuries and their causes

Injuries to the deltoid muscle are very rare and almost always traumatic in nature. Still, pain can go through Overload arise, for example, the back part of the muscle is particularly stressed when swimming with dolphins. In addition, pain can manifest itself primarily in the anterior deltoid, the cause of which is not in this muscle itself, but in other muscles of the Shoulder joint.
The tendon of the M. supraspinatus, a rotator cuff muscle thickened or inflamed. Pain occurs particularly when the arm is abducted between 60 and 120 degrees. This is because the tendon is pinched between the roof of the shoulder and the humerus when the arm is spread apart at this angle. These symptoms are referred to as "Painful arc"Or from Impingement Syndrome. The deltoid muscle is not necessarily involved, but its tension is reflexively increased, which can be expressed in pain.

Furthermore, there is potential for injury not only to the muscle, but also to its nerves, the axillary nerve. This can happen, for example, as a result of bicycle or motorcycle accidents or a fracture of the humerus in the area of ​​the collum chirurgicum, since the axillary nerve loops around the humerus at this point these areas. In addition, the deltoid muscle atrophy occurs over a long period of time. Atrophy is a noticeable loss of tissue.

therapy

To treat a strain, the so-called BAD LUCK (Pause, E.is, C.compression, Hadditional storage)-Rule be applied. This is used for Reduction of swelling. The faster it is cooled, the greater the effect. These treatments reduce the flow of blood to muscle tissue and thus the leakage of water (Edema formation, swelling).

If the axillary nerve is injured, paralysis, which usually occurs immediately after the accident, should be actively treated with physiotherapeutic measures under close neurological control in the acute phase. Surgical treatment options should be considered for symptoms of paralysis and sensory disturbances lasting three to four months.