Which muscle has a dense fascia that gives it a dense quality?

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

Answer: (B)

The density you feel in a muscle often comes from its fascial coverings, and one muscle in particular is known for a notably thick fascia that gives it a dense, fibrous quality. The infraspinatus is enveloped by the infraspinous fascia, a thick sheet that settles over the muscle in the infraspinous fossa and contributes to a distinctly dense feel when you palpate that region. This dense fascia helps protect and compartmentalize the muscle as it lies deep to the spine of the scapula and works to externally rotate the humerus. The other muscles listed don’t have a fascia that’s described as equally dense, so they don’t present that same dense palpation characteristic.