rotator cuff

noun

: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of the capsule of the shoulder joint blended with tendons and muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the head of the humerus

Examples of rotator cuff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rant had to shoulder a lot of this situation, literally, including suffering rotator cuff problems. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

If treatment is delayed, smaller rotator cuff tears can become larger and harder to heal.28 Summary A rotator cuff tear happens when one of the tendons in your shoulder gets hurt. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2024

Another prominent option took a step forward in his recovery Friday afternoon, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the club at Busch Stadium and faced hitters for the first time since June, when he was placed on the IL with a strained rotator cuff. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024

This includes your rotator cuff, a set of four different muscles that help stabilize the joint and keep it in its proper place. —Elizabeth Millard, Cpt, SELF, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rotator cuff

noun

-ˌkəf 

: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of part of its capsule blended with tendons of the subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and teres minor muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the humerus

called also musculotendinous cuff