rotator cuff
noun
: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of the capsule of the shoulder joint blended with tendons and muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the head of the humerus
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. 
Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Milwaukee's previous two Cy Young winners include Rollie Fingers, the 1981 American League winner who wasn't a starter, and 1982 winner Pete Vuckovich, who was hampered by a rotator cuff injury and pitched sparingly in the years thereafter. Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2022 There can be a ripple effect as well, including more tension in the upper back, numbness in the hands, recurring headaches, and rotator cuff tendonitis, according to Dr. Mack. Elizabeth Millard, C.p.t., SELF, 16 Aug. 2022 Any movement of the arm or shoulder needs to be balanced by the rotator cuff for the shoulder to work properly. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 29 June 2022 Closer Duane Ward appeared in only four games after missing the entire 1994 campaign with a rotator cuff injury. Scott Allen, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 But the most common rotator cuff problem is not a tear, but damage to the tendons without a complete tear. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 29 June 2022 This includes your deltoids and rotator cuff muscles (shoulder muscles); pec minor and pec major (chest muscles); lats and rhomboids (back muscles); and biceps and triceps (arms muscles). Christa Sgobba, SELF, 2 May 2022 Hall of Famer Randy Johnson never made another start after tearing a rotator cuff while batting in 2009. WSJ, 11 May 2022 See More
Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Milwaukee's previous two Cy Young winners include Rollie Fingers, the 1981 American League winner who wasn't a starter, and 1982 winner Pete Vuckovich, who was hampered by a rotator cuff injury and pitched sparingly in the years thereafter. Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2022 There can be a ripple effect as well, including more tension in the upper back, numbness in the hands, recurring headaches, and rotator cuff tendonitis, according to Dr. Mack. Elizabeth Millard, C.p.t., SELF, 16 Aug. 2022 Any movement of the arm or shoulder needs to be balanced by the rotator cuff for the shoulder to work properly. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 29 June 2022 Closer Duane Ward appeared in only four games after missing the entire 1994 campaign with a rotator cuff injury. Scott Allen, Washington Post, 27 May 2022 But the most common rotator cuff problem is not a tear, but damage to the tendons without a complete tear. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 29 June 2022 This includes your deltoids and rotator cuff muscles (shoulder muscles); pec minor and pec major (chest muscles); lats and rhomboids (back muscles); and biceps and triceps (arms muscles). Christa Sgobba, SELF, 2 May 2022 Hall of Famer Randy Johnson never made another start after tearing a rotator cuff while batting in 2009. WSJ, 11 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1944, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
rotator cuff
noun
-ˌkəf 
: a supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint that is made up of part of its capsule blended with tendons of the subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and teres minor muscles as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on the humerus
called also musculotendinous cuff