Subscapularis origin and insertion

Subscapularis runs from the scapula to the humerus.

What are the origin and insertion of subscapularis?

Subscapularis arises from the subscapular fossa. It inserts on the lesser tubercle. Its main action is medial rotation at the shoulder. It is supplied by the upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5, C6). The attachments, actions and nerve follow Gray (1918).

Every attachment and its bone

Origin 1

Origin of subscapularis, with the bone each is on

Attachment	Bone
Subscapular fossa	Scapula

Insertion 1

Insertion of subscapularis, with the bone each is on

Attachment	Bone
Lesser tubercle	Humerus

Actions

Each action is stated in the anatomical position: standing, arms by the sides, palms forward.

Innervation

The upper and lower subscapular nerves (C5, C6).

Lifts that use subscapularis

A prime mover produces the lift’s main joint action against the load; a synergist assists that action, or adds a secondary action the lift needs. Each role is the one the lift’s own page gives, for the technique that page states.

No lift here uses it as a prime mover or synergist. It is a stabilizer in the flat bench press, incline bench press, push-up, parallel-bar dip, standing overhead press and dumbbell lateral raise.

Sources

• Gray (1918), Myology, the muscles and fasciae of the shoulder

Each lift role is from that lift’s page in muscles worked by exercise, which names the sources it follows.

The values are facts and free to use; this page’s selection and presentation are © 2026 ScienceQuest.

See it in 3D

Visualiser · Biology Muscle Origin, Insertion and Action Explorer Paint a muscle’s origin and insertion on real 3D bones, or click a bone to see what attaches to it. Visualiser · Biology Upper Limb Muscles Explorer 114 upper limb muscle meshes, by compartment. Visualiser · Biology Muscles Worked by Exercise 3D Explorer Choose a lift and a real body lights its prime movers, synergists and stabilisers, front and back, with the same muscles in 3D.