Which muscle inserts at the crest of the greater tubercle of the humerus?

• A. Pectoralis major
• B. Supraspinatus
• C. Teres minor
• D. Latissimus dorsi

Answer: (A)

Understanding where a muscle attaches to the humerus helps predict its action. The crest of the greater tubercle is a ridge that separates the three facets on the greater tubercle, and the tendons of the rotator cuff settle onto those facets: supraspinatus on the superior facet, infraspinatus on the middle facet, and teres minor on the inferior facet. Pectoralis major inserts not at the crest but at the lateral lip of the intertubercular (bicipital) groove, and latissimus dorsi also attaches into that groove. Subscapularis inserts on the lesser tubercle. Because the crest itself isn’t the insertion site for the listed muscles, there isn’t a correct match among them for the crest. If one needs the closest association with the greater tubercle region, the supraspinatus is the rotator cuff tendon associated with that area, though its tendon attaches to a facet rather than the crest.