PECTORALIS MAJOR
\pˌɛktɔːɹˈɑːliz mˈe͡ɪd͡ʒə], \pˌɛktɔːɹˈɑːliz mˈeɪdʒə], \p_ˌɛ_k_t_ɔː_ɹ_ˈɑː_l_i_z m_ˈeɪ_dʒ_ə]\
Definitions of PECTORALIS MAJOR
- 2006 - WordNet 3.0
- 2011 - English Dictionary Database
- 1846 - Medical lexicon: a dictionary of medical science
Sort: Oldest first
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
-
A large, flat, triangular muscle, situate at the anterior part of the chest, before the axilla. It is attached, on the one hand, by means of aponeurotic fibres, to the inner half of the anterior edge of the clavicle; to the anterior surface of the sternum, and to the cartilages of the first six true ribs ;-on the other, by a strong tendon, which is inserted at the anterior edge of the bicipital groove of the humerus. The use of this muscle is to move the arm in various directions. If it be banging by the side of the body, it carries it inwards and a little forwards. When the arm is raised, it depresses it and carries it inwards. It can, also, move it in rotation inwards. If the humerus be raised and fixed, the pectoralis major draws the trunk towards the upper extremity.
By Robley Dunglison
Word of the day
SQ10,643
- A serotonin antagonist with limited antihistaminic, anticholinergic, and immunosuppressive activity.