Pectoralis major
Synonyms
Latin: M. pectoralis major
English: major pectoral muscle
Synergists: Pectoralis minor muscle, teres major muscle, subscapularis muscle
Antagonist: Trapezius muscle
definition
The large chest muscle (pectoralis major muscle) takes up most of the anterior chest wall. The muscle has three original parts. The main part comes from the outer surface of the sternum, another part from the medial third of the clavicle and a smaller part from the anterior part of the rectus sheath. When the arm is hanging down, the pectoralis major assumes an approximately square shape, while when the arm is raised it has an almost triangular shape.
Pectoralis major muscle illustration
Pectoralis major
Pectoralis major muscle
- Pectoralis major (1a. + 1b. + 1c.)
Pectoralis major muscle
1a. Collarbone portion -
Pars clavicularis
1b. Sternum-rib area -
Pars sternocostalis
1c. Abdominal area -
Pars abdominalis - Collarbone -
Clavicle - Upper arm shaft -
Corpus humeri - 7th rib - Costa VII
- Costal cartilage -
Cartilago costalis - 2nd rib - Costa II
- Sternum - sternum
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
course
Approach: Great humeral ridge of the humerus (Crista tuberculi majoris humeri)
Origin:
- Pars clavicularis: inner two-thirds of the collarbone
- Pars sternocotalis: Sternum and 2nd - 7th costal cartilages
- Pars abdomialis: anterior rectus sheath
Innervation: Nn. pectorales
function
The function of the pectoralis major is that of Adduction, anteversion and Internal rotation of the outstretched arm. We use the example Breaststroke clearly visible. In athletic throwing and pushing disciplines, well-developed chest muscles can also be seen in the athletes, which explains the strain on the large chest muscles.
Strengthening and stretching
To train the large pectoral muscle, several exercises have become established in weight training. In addition to the classic bench press, the following is a list of exercises for chest muscle training
- Bench press
- butterfly
- Butterfly cable pull
- Flying
You can find an overview of all relevant topics in the area of strength training in the overview of strength training
How is the muscle stretched?
In order to set an optimal stretch stimulus for the large pectoral muscle, the athlete should stand against a wall. Forearms and upper arms form a right angle at shoulder height. The upper body is actively moved away from the arm.
For more information on this subject, go to Stretching
Common illnesses
If the pectoralis major muscle is missing on one side, this is known as Poland Syndrome.
Overexertion while exercising can be a painful one Breast muscle inflammation which are associated with restricted mobility. Other causes of inflammation of the pectoral muscles are bruises of the chest and a rib fracture.
If there is pain in the pectoral muscle, a doctor should always be consulted with whom further therapy options can be discussed.
If the pectoral muscle swells, bruising may occur.
Pectoralis major pain
If the large pectoral muscle or the pectoralis major muscle is tense or even inflamed, this can cause severe pain in the chest. However, since the muscle is very large and all of its parts are attached to the upper arm, the pain can also radiate into the shoulder and the entire arm (see also: Shoulder pain). Typical here are chest, shoulder, elbow, wrist and forearm pain. The pain in the chest area usually increases when pressure is applied locally to the muscle.
Due to the functions of the pectoralis major muscle, such as internal rotation, adduction and anteversion, it is still quite possible that lifting the arm to the side causes pain and the shoulder is balled inward. Furthermore, the pectoralis major functions as an auxiliary breathing muscle. This means that it makes it easier to inhale and exhale. Because of this, breathing in often causes pain when there is tension. For the first self-therapy, a massage ball can be used, which can be rolled around on the corresponding muscle.
Pulled pectoralis major
If the pectoralis major muscle is pulled, it can cause severe pain. All movements that the muscle normally performs, i.e. turning the arm inward, lifting and moving the arm back to the side, are very painful and almost completely restricted. The cause of a strain usually lies in intensive strength training. The muscle was not warmed up properly and is therefore not stretched enough. With high loads this can lead to a strain or even to a ruptured muscle fiber.
As with any sport, it is therefore necessary to warm up the muscles sufficiently before exercising so that there is no torn muscle fiber, which must be treated directly. To prevent this and to counteract the strain, the training must be interrupted. The muscle needs time to regenerate and recover. Immediately after the strain, the muscle can be cooled briefly, approx. 20 minutes. Then it should only be spared. The training break must be kept until the pain subsides again. In order to prevent a re-emergence of a strain, it is first necessary to slowly and carefully load the muscle again.
You might also be interested in: Muscle strain
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