Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor is a small muscle that stabilizes the shoulder blade and aids in scapular movement and breathing. It is crucial for shoulder stability, posture, and preventing injuries in athletes, especially in sports involving overhead or pushing motions.

Tightness in this muscle can lead to shoulder impingement, while proper strengthening and stretching improve mobility, performance, and injury prevention.

Pectoralis Minor
Pectoralis Minor

Pectoralis Minor

Anatomy

[Origin]

  • 3rd – 5th ribs near their costal cartilage

[Insertion]

  • Medial border and superior surface of coracoid process of scapula

[Action]

  • Stabilizes scapula by drawing it inferiorly and anteriorly against thoracic wall

Clinical Relevance

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

With the cords of brachial plexus and the axillary blood vessels lying between the coracoid process and the rib cage, shortening of pectoralis minor may produce impingement on these large vessels and nerves, causing shoulder impingement and thoracic outlet syndrome.

~ Evidence-Based Exercises ~

It’s impossible to isolate the pec minor, per se, but certain chest strengthening and stretching exercises target it more specifically than a flat bench press.

 

  • Chest Dips
  • Cable Fly
  • Door Stretch (90 deg & 150 deg)

Chest Dips

Chest Dips

Cable Fly

Cable Fly

Door Stretch

Pectoralis Minor

< Reference >

  • Keith L. Moore, Anne M. R. Agur, Arthur F. Dalley. Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy 7th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013
  • Castelein B, Cagnie B, Parlevliet T, Cools A. Serratus anterior or pectoralis minor: Which muscle has the upper hand during protraction exercises? Man Ther. 2016;22:158-164. doi:1016/j.math.2015.12.002
  • Umehara J, Nakamura M, Fujita K, et al. Shoulder horizontal abduction stretching effectively increases shear elastic modulus of pectoralis minor muscle. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2017;26(7):1159-1165. doi:1016/j.jse.2016.12.074