What is the primary function of the rotator cuff?

The primary function of the rotator cuff is to stabilize the shoulder joint and allow for a wide range of movements. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their associated tendons that surround the shoulder joint, playing a crucial role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the shoulder during various activities.

These muscles—supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—work together to hold the head of the humerus securely within the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula while allowing for a significant range of motion, which is essential for many upper extremity functions like reaching, lifting, and throwing. This stabilization is vital, especially as the shoulder is prone to dislocation and other injuries due to its wide range of motion.

The other choices pertain to functions unrelated to the rotator cuff. For instance, elbow flexion and extension are primarily the roles of the muscles in the upper arm, while the wrist support involves different muscle groups. Lateral flexion of the spine is primarily handled by muscles in the trunk and not by the rotator cuff muscles.