Which muscle does not attach at the greater tubercle of the humerus?

• A. Supraspinatus
• B. Infraspinatus
• C. Subscapularis
• D. Pectoralis Minor

Answer: (D)

Understanding where shoulder muscles attach is key to predicting their actions. The greater tubercle of the humerus is the insertion for three muscles of the rotator cuff: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. The subscapularis attaches to the lesser tubercle, not the greater. Pectoralis minor, however, does not attach to the humerus at all; it attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula and to ribs. Because it has no attachment to the humerus, it’s the one that does not attach at the greater tubercle. The other options connect to the humerus (either at the greater or lesser tubercle), so they don’t fit as the best answer.