The deltoid muscle is a triangular muscle located on the shoulder. Its name is derived from the Greek letter delta, which resembles its shape. The spelling of deltoid muscle follows the standard English pronunciation rules. The first syllable contains a short "e" sound /ˈdɛl/, followed by a long "t" sound /ˈtoɪd/. The final "oid" syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound /ɔɪd/, as in "avoid". So, the correct IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈdɛltɔɪd ˈmʌsəl/.
The deltoid muscle is a large, triangular-shaped muscle located in the shoulder and upper arm region. It is one of the primary muscles responsible for shoulder movement and stability. The term "deltoid" comes from the Greek word "delta," which refers to the shape of the letter Δ, resembling the muscle's triangular appearance.
Functionally, the deltoid muscle enables several important movements of the shoulder joint. It allows the arm to be raised and lifted away from the body, a movement known as abduction. It also enables the arm to be lifted forward, as in flexion, and lifted backward, as in extension. Additionally, the deltoid muscle helps with the rotation and stabilization of the shoulder joint.
Anatomically, the deltoid muscle covers the shoulder joint and is divided into three distinct regions or heads: the anterior or front head, the lateral or side head, and the posterior or rear head. These heads arise from different areas of the scapula and clavicle before converging to form a common insertion point on the humerus bone in the upper arm.
The deltoid muscle is innervated by the axillary nerve, which originates from the brachial plexus. It receives its blood supply from the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery.
Regular exercise and strengthening of the deltoid muscle can help improve shoulder strength, stability, and overall upper body function. Various exercises, such as lateral raises, front raises, and shoulder presses, specifically target and engage the deltoid muscle.
The word "deltoid" originates from the Greek word "deltoeidḗs", which means "triangular" or "delta-shaped". This term is derived from the Greek letter "delta" (Δ), which is shaped like an equilateral triangle. The delta symbol (Δ) is used to represent the deltoid muscle due to its triangular appearance when well-developed. The name "deltoid muscle" was coined in the early 18th century by anatomist William Cheselden.