Deltoid — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz

The Deltoid is located in the shoulder. Abducts arm and shapes shoulder contour. The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.

Deltoid highlighted in a 3D model of the human body
Deltoid highlighted in the 3D body atlas. 3D atlas: BodyParts3D (DBCLS, CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan); Écorché/Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Rendered in anotemy.

Key facts

Deltoid at a glance
LocationShoulder
Main functionAbducts arm and shapes shoulder contour.
Layersuperficial muscles
Key fact 1The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.
Key fact 2The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.
Key fact 3The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

Where is the Deltoid located?

The Deltoid is located in the shoulder.

The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.

What does the Deltoid do?

Abducts arm and shapes shoulder contour.

The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

What to know for exams

  • The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.
  • The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.
  • The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

It belongs to the superficial muscles layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.

Clinical relevance

The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

Link the deltoid to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.

Memory aid: Deltoid

The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine. The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus. The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.

Deltoid anatomy quiz

Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.

  1. Where is the Deltoid located?

    Reveal answer

    Shoulder

  2. What is the main function of the Deltoid?

    Reveal answer

    Abducts arm and shapes shoulder contour.

  3. Give one key fact about the Deltoid.

    Reveal answer

    The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.

  4. Give another key fact about the Deltoid.

    Reveal answer

    The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

  5. What clinical link is associated with the Deltoid?

    Reveal answer

    The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

Common questions

Where is the Deltoid located?

The Deltoid is located in the shoulder. The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine.

What does the Deltoid do?

Abducts arm and shapes shoulder contour. The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.

What is a key fact about the Deltoid?

The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

What layer does the Deltoid belong to?

It belongs to the superficial muscles layer of the body.

What should I remember for exams?

The Deltoid originates from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine. The Deltoid inserts into the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus. The Deltoid is innervated by the axillary nerve.

Sources

  1. Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
  2. TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
  3. Kenhub — anatomy library
  4. StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Deltoid search

3D atlas and image credits

Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.

The 3D models are third-party assets under Creative Commons share-alike licences. They keep those licences; the page text is separate. If you reuse an image, keep the attribution and the share-alike licence.