The teres minor tendon inserts on the inferior facet of the greater tubercle, the most posterior cuff insertion, and provides external rotation alongside the infraspinatus. Isolated teres minor atrophy on MRI (visible as fatty infiltration of the teres minor muscle below the infraspinatus) is pathognomonic of axillary nerve injury at the posterior branch level.
External rotation and posterior glenohumeral compression
The teres minor and infraspinatus together produce the external rotation torque tested by the Patte test (resisted external rotation at 90 degrees abduction). The teres minor has a unique triangular cross-section on MRI which distinguishes it from the infraspinatus above it.
Teres minor tendon changes from axillary nerve posterior branch compression in quadrilateral space syndrome producing external rotation weakness.
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