rotator cuff

noun

Definition of rotator cuff

: 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

Severino — who has been sidelined all year, first with a rotator cuff injury and then a strained lat muscle — is scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time since March. Kristie Ackert, courant.com, "Domingo German has been a season-saver for Yankees," 9 Aug. 2019 Luis Severino, the team’s best starting pitcher, hasn’t thrown a pitch all season because of a rotator cuff injury and a puzzling lat strain. James Wagner, New York Times, "The Yankees Are Still on Top, but the Red Sox Are Surging," 29 July 2019 He hasn’t pitched in a live game since being placed on the injured list last August with rotator cuff tendinitis. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, "A’s pitchers Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton make progress toward return to roster," 6 July 2019 Tommy John surgery in the spring of 1991 and, a year later, rotator cuff repair. Tim Layden, SI.com, "Jon Peters and the Pain of Being 'SUPERKID'," 28 June 2019 However, a rotator cuff injury his junior year interrupted that, preventing him from competing at the section championships. San Diego Union-Tribune, "U-T All-Academic Team Captains for spring sports," 12 June 2019 He was shut down before his first spring training start with inflammation in his right rotator cuff. Kristie Ackert, courant.com, "Second Dallas Keuchel bidding war begins today; Yankees need him more than most," 3 June 2019 Sports that require overhead motions, like swimming and tennis, are tough on rotator cuffs, too. Alexa Tucker, SELF, "2 Simple Shoulder Exercises Anyone Who Works Out Should Be Doing," 22 July 2018 And your shoulders specifically may benefit immensely from rotator cuff exercises, which strengthen and stabilize the small muscles that help keep the ball-and-socket joint in place. Amy Marturana, SELF, "12 Stretches to Relieve Tight Shoulders," 2 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rotator cuff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rotator cuff

1944, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for rotator cuff

rotator cuff

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rotator cuff

chiefly US, medical : a group of muscles and tendons that are around your shoulder and that allow it to move in all directions

rotator cuff

noun
\ -ˌkəf How to pronounce rotator cuff (audio) \

Medical Definition of rotator cuff

: 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