Expression of Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms in the Supraspinatus Muscle of Different Primate Species: Implications for the Study of the Adaptation of Primate Shoulder Muscles to Different Locomotor Modes

The supraspinatus muscle is a key component of the soft tissues of the shoulder. In pronograde primates, its main function, in combination with the other rotator cuff muscles (subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor), is to stabilize the glenohumeral joint, whereas in orthograde primates it functions together with the deltoid, to elevate the upper extremity in the scapular plane. To determine whether these functional differences are also reflected in the molecular biochemistry of the supraspinatus muscles involved in these different locomotor modes, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze the expression of the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms in supraspinatus muscles from modern humans and 12 species of pronograde and orthograde primates. The MHC expression pattern in the supraspinatus muscle of pronograde primates was consistent with its function as a tonic and postural muscle, whereas the MHC expression pattern observed in the supraspinatus muscle of nonhuman orthograde primates was that of a muscle that emphasizes speed, strength, and less resistance to fatigue. These findings are consistent with the role of the supraspinatus in the posture and locomotor modes of these groups of nonhuman primates. The humans included in the study had an expression pattern similar to that of the nonhuman orthograde primates. In conclusion, molecular analysis of skeletal muscles via RT-PCR can contribute to a better understanding of the morphological and functional characteristics of the primate musculoskeletal system.     

Comparison of an EMG-based and a stress-based method to predict shoulder muscle forces

The estimation of muscle forces in musculoskeletal shoulder models is still controversial. Two different methods are widely used to solve the indeterminacy of the system: electromyography (EMG)-based methods and stress-based methods. The goal of this work was to evaluate the influence of these two methods on the prediction of muscle forces, glenohumeral load and joint stability after total shoulder arthroplasty. An EMG-based and a stress-based method were implemented into the same musculoskeletal shoulder model. The model replicated the glenohumeral joint after total shoulder arthroplasty. It contained the scapula, the humerus, the joint prosthesis, the rotator cuff muscles supraspinatus, subscapularis and infraspinatus and the middle, anterior and posterior deltoid muscles. A movement of abduction was simulated in the plane of the scapula. The EMG-based method replicated muscular activity of experimentally measured EMG. The stress-based method minimised a cost function based on muscle stresses. We compared muscle forces, joint reaction force, articular contact pressure and translation of the humeral head. The stress-based method predicted a lower force of the rotator cuff muscles. This was partly counter-balanced by a higher force of the middle part of the deltoid muscle. As a consequence, the stress-based method predicted a lower joint load (16% reduced) and a higher superior–inferior translation of the humeral head (increased by 1.2 mm). The EMG-based method has the advantage of replicating the observed cocontraction of stabilising muscles of the rotator cuff. This method is, however, limited to available EMG measurements. The stress-based method has thus an advantage of flexibility, but may overestimate glenohumeral subluxation.     

Suprascapular nerve block results in a compensatory increase in deltoid muscle activity

A balance exists between the deltoid and rotator cuff contribution to arm elevation. Both cadaver and computer models have predicted an increase in deltoid muscle force with dysfunction of the rotator cuff. The goal of the present study was to verify this phenomenon in vivo by examining the effects of paralysis of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles with a suprascapular nerve block on the electrical activity of seven shoulder muscles. Electromyographic data were collected before and after the administration of the block. The block resulted in a significant increase in muscle activity for all heads of the deltoid, with a higher percentage increase noted at lower elevation angles. Although the deltoid activity was reduced as the subjects recovered from the block, even low levels of cuff dysfunction were found to result in increased deltoid activity. These results suggest that even small disruptions in the normal function of some rotator cuff muscles (e.g., due to fatigue or impingement syndrome), may result in an increase in deltoid activity. It is possible that such compensation may result in higher superior loads at the glenohumeral joint, possibly increasing the risk of tendon damage.     

3D finite element models of shoulder muscles for computing lines of actions and moment arms

Accurate representation of musculoskeletal geometry is needed to characterise the function of shoulder muscles. Previous models of shoulder muscles have represented muscle geometry as a collection of line segments, making it difficult to account for the large attachment areas, muscle–muscle interactions and complex muscle fibre trajectories typical of shoulder muscles. To better represent shoulder muscle geometry, we developed 3D finite element models of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles and used the models to examine muscle function. Muscle fibre paths within the muscles were approximated, and moment arms were calculated for two motions: thoracohumeral abduction and internal/external rotation. We found that muscle fibre moment arms varied substantially across each muscle. For example, supraspinatus is considered a weak external rotator, but the 3D model of supraspinatus showed that the anterior fibres provide substantial internal rotation while the posterior fibres act as external rotators. Including the effects of large attachment regions and 3D mechanical interactions of muscle fibres constrains muscle motion, generates more realistic muscle paths and allows deeper analysis of shoulder muscle function.     

Contributions of the individual muscles of the shoulder to glenohumeral joint stability during abduction

The aim of this study was to determine the relative contributions of the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles to glenohumeral joint stability during arm abduction. A three-dimensional model of the upper limb was used to calculate the muscle and joint-contact forces at the shoulder for abduction in the scapular plane. The joints of the shoulder girdle-sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, and glenohumeral joint-were each represented as an ideal three degree-of-freedom ball-and-socket joint. The articulation between the scapula and thorax was modeled using two kinematic constraints. Eighteen muscle bundles were used to represent the lines of action of 11 muscle groups spanning the glenohumeral joint. The three-dimensional positions of the clavicle, scapula, and humerus during abduction were measured using intracortical bone pins implanted into one subject. The measured bone positions were inputted into the model, and an optimization problem was solved to calculate the forces developed by the shoulder muscles for abduction in the scapular plane. The model calculations showed that the rotator cuff muscles (specifically, supraspinatus, subscapularis, and infraspinatus) by virtue of their lines of action are perfectly positioned to apply compressive load across the glenohumeral joint, and that these muscles contribute most significantly to shoulder joint stability during abduction. The middle deltoid provides most of the compressive force acting between the humeral head and the glenoid, but this muscle also creates most of the shear, and so its contribution to joint stability is less than that of any of the rotator cuff muscles.     

肩关节手术入路中的应用解剖学研究

目的:观测肩关节的形态结构及周围结构的特点,为临床手术提供资料。方法:解剖观察20具成人肩关节周围肌肉及其血管神经等重要结构。结果:三角肌外侧部深面主要有横过骨肌肉之间的腋神经前支和旋肱后血管,后侧深部主要有冈上肌冈下肌、小圆肌、回边孔、三边孔及其内部结构。(2)冈上肌肌腱密切粘着于肩关节囊例上部肌腱表面,于肩峰深面有肩峰下深液囊,有时与三角肌下滑液囊相通。(3)肩关节的血液供应主要靠旋肱前动脉及肩胛后动脉．肩关节靠近大血管主干,血供丰富、血流速度快。(4)神经界面,肩关节周围的界面有三角肌冈下肌间隙,三角肌胸大肌间隙,三角肌与喙肱肌、肱二头肌间隙、冈下肌小圆肌间隙。结论:肩关节结构极为复杂,解剖肩关节时应避免损伤重要组织结构。     

Shoulder muscle function depends on elbow joint position: an illustration of dynamic coupling in the upper limb

Shoulder muscle function has been documented based on muscle moment arms, lines of action and muscle contributions to contact force at the glenohumeral joint. At present, however, the contributions of individual muscles to shoulder joint motion have not been investigated, and the effects of shoulder and elbow joint position on shoulder muscle function are not well understood. The aims of this study were to compute the contributions of individual muscles to motion of the glenohumeral joint during abduction, and to examine the effect of elbow flexion on shoulder muscle function. A three-dimensional musculoskeletal model of the upper limb was used to determine the contributions of 18 major muscles and muscle sub-regions of the shoulder to glenohumeral joint motion during abduction. Muscle function was found to depend strongly on both shoulder and elbow joint positions. When the elbow was extended, the middle and anterior deltoid and supraspinatus were the greatest contributors to angular acceleration of the shoulder in abduction. In contrast, when the elbow was flexed at 90°, the anterior deltoid and subscapularis were the greatest contributors to joint angular acceleration in abduction. This dependence of shoulder muscle function on elbow joint position is explained by the existence of dynamic coupling in multi-joint musculoskeletal systems. The extent to which dynamic coupling affects shoulder muscle function, and therefore movement control, is determined by the structure of the inverse mass matrix, which depends on the configuration of the joints. The data provided may assist in the diagnosis of abnormal shoulder function, for example, due to muscle paralysis or in the case of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.     

On the suitability of using surface electrode placements to estimate muscle activity of the rotator cuff as recorded by intramuscular electrodes

BackgroundElectromyography (EMG) is commonly used to assess muscle activity. Although previous studies have had moderate success in predicting individual intramuscular muscle activity from surface electrodes, extensive data does not exist for the rotator cuff. This study aimed to determine how reliably surface electrodes represent rotator cuff activity during 20 maximal exertions.MethodsFive channels of EMG were recorded on the following rotator cuff muscles: supraspinatus and infraspinatus intramuscular and surface recordings, and teres minor intramuscular recordings. An additional 3 surface electrodes were placed over the upper and middle trapezius and posterior deltoid. Subjects performed ramped maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) for each muscle, followed by 20 isometric maximal exertions. Linear least squares best fit regressions (unconstrained and constrained with zero-intercept) were used to compare: intramuscular and surface supraspinatus and infraspinatus signals, respectively, and intramuscular teres minor and surface infraspinatus signals.FindingsRelationships existed between wire and surface electrode measurements for all rotator cuff muscles: supraspinatus (r² = 0.73); teres minor (r² = 0.61); infraspinatus (r² = 0.40), however prediction equations indicated large overestimations and offsets.InterpretationWhen appropriate multiplicative coefficients are considered, surface supraspinatus and infraspinatus electrodes may be used to estimate intramuscular supraspinatus and teres minor activations, respectively, in maximal exertions similar to those tested. However, until these relationships are better defined in other postures, intensities and exertion types, the use of surface electrodes to estimate indwelling rotator cuff activity is cautioned against.     

Development of an Arthroscopic Joint Capsule Injury Model in the Canine Shoulder

Background

The natural history of rotator cuff tears can be unfavorable as patients develop fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy that is often associated with a loss of muscle strength and shoulder function. To facilitate study of possible biologic mechanisms involved in early degenerative changes to rotator cuff muscle and tendon tissues, the objective of this study was to develop a joint capsule injury model in the canine shoulder using arthroscopy.

Methods

Arthroscopic surgical methods for performing a posterior joint capsulectomy in the canine shoulder were first defined in cadavers. Subsequently, one canine subject underwent bilateral shoulder joint capsulectomy using arthroscopy, arthroscopic surveillance at 2, 4 and 8 weeks, and gross and histologic examination of the joint at 10 weeks.

Results

The canine subject was weight-bearing within eight hours after index and follow-up surgeries and had no significant soft tissue swelling of the shoulder girdle or gross lameness. Chronic synovitis and macroscopic and microscopic evidence of pathologic changes to the rotator cuff bony insertions, tendons, myotendinous junctions and muscles were observed.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates feasibility and proof-of-concept for a joint capsule injury model in the canine shoulder. Future work is needed to define the observed pathologic changes and their role in the progression of rotator cuff disease. Ultimately, better understanding of the biologic mechanisms of early progression of rotator cuff disease may lead to clinical interventions to halt or slow this process and avoid the more advanced and often irreversible conditions of large tendon tears with muscle fatty atrophy.     

Effect of biceps-to-triceps transfer on rotator cuff stress during upper limb weight-bearing lift in tetraplegia: A modeling and simulation analysis

Rotator cuff stress during upper limb weight-bearing lifts presumably contribute to rotator cuff disease, which is the most common cause of shoulder pain in individuals with tetraplegia. Elbow extension strength appears to be a key determinant of rotator cuff stress during upper limb weight-bearing lifts since individuals with paraplegia who generate greater elbow extensor moments experience lower rotator cuff stress relative to individuals with tetraplegia. Biceps-to-triceps transfer surgery can increase elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether active elbow extension via biceps transfer decreases rotator cuff stress during weight-bearing lifts in individuals with tetraplegia. A forward dynamics computational framework was used to estimate muscle stress during the lift; stress was computed as muscle force divided by the peak isometric muscle force. We hypothesized that rotator cuff stresses would be lower in simulated lifting with biceps transfer relative to simulated lifting without biceps transfer. We found that limited elbow extension strength in individuals with tetraplegia, regardless of whether elbow strength is enabled via biceps transfer or is residual after spinal cord injury, results in muscle stresses exceeding 85% of the peak isometric muscle stress in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. The rotator cuff stresses we estimated suggest that performance of weight-bearing activities should be minimized or assisted in order to reduce the risk for shoulder pain. Our results also indicate that biceps transfer is unlikely to decrease rotator cuff stress during weight-bearing lifts in individuals with tetraplegia.     

Muscle efficiency in total shoulder prosthesis implantation: dependence on position of the humeral head and rotator cuff function]

Modern shoulder prostheses permit an anatomic reconstruction of the joint, although the biomechanical advantages are not proven. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between position of the humeral head and function of the shoulder prosthesis (muscle efficiency). Shoulder elevation-motion and rotator cuff defects were simulated in vitro in a robot-assisted shoulder simulator. The EPOCA Custom Offset shoulder prosthesis (Argomedical AG, Cham, CH) was implanted in seven normal shoulders (77 +/- 20 kg, 55 +/- 14 years). Active elevation was simulated by hydraulic cylinders, and scapulothoratic motion by a specially programmed industrial robot. Muscle efficiency (elevation-angle/muscle-force of the deltoid muscle) was measured in anatomic (ANA), medialised (MED) and lateralised (LAT) positions of the humeral head, with or without rotator cuff muscle deficiency. Medialisation increased efficiency by 0.03 +/- 0.04 deg/N (p = 0.022), lateralisation decreased it by 0.04 +/- 0.06 deg/N (p = 0.009). Supraspinatus muscle deficiency increased the deltoid force required to elevate the arm, and thus decreased efficiency (ANA p = 0.091, MED p = 0.018, LAT p = 0.028). The data confirm that the position of the humeral head affects the mechanics of total shoulder arthroplasty. Medialisation increases efficiency of the deltoid muscle and may prove useful in compensating isolated supraspinatus muscle deficiency. Lateralisation, in contrast, leads to an unfavorable situation.     

Shoulder muscle activity during pushing, pulling, elevation and overhead throw.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the muscle activity of recreational athletes and professional javelin throwers during pull, push, and elevation of upper extremities and during overhead throw. SCOPE: Nine professional javelin throwers and 16 recreational athletes without shoulder problems were studied. Signals were recorded by surface EMG from eight different muscles. The results obtained from the muscles of upper extremities of throwers were compared with those of recreational athletes. CONCLUSION: The different neuromuscular control of professional throwers caused a more profitable muscle activity. Differences during the overhead throw were more significant. The deltoid muscle and rotator cuff of recreational athletes showed stronger activity than those of throwers during pull, push and elevation. The deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff of professional throwers showed stronger activity during overhead throw. Studying the detailed characteristics of muscle activity pattern (differences in length of activity periods, MVC% of muscles and time broadness among peak muscle activities in percent of total time of a movement cycle) may provide a basis for better understanding improved performance and help in planning proper rehabilitation protocol.     

New characters for the functional interpretation of primate scapulae and proximal humeri

The study of muscle function in nonhuman primates through the technique of electromyography (EMG) has facilitated the identification of specific functional roles for muscles in particular behaviors. This has led to a more complete understanding of the biomechanics of certain regions of the musculoskeletal system, and should facilitate our ability to identify morphological features useful in the functional interpretation of fossil material. The current paper represents one such investigation of a new set of morphometric characters of the scapula and proximal humerus suggested by EMG analyses of shoulder muscle function. A set of new metric variables were examined on the scapulae and proximal humeri of 25 species of extant anthropoid primates, as well as on casts of scapulae and humeri of three fossil primate taxa. The variables are primarily related to the line of action and attachments of the rotator cuff muscles. The position of the scapular spine, the degree of lateral expansion of the subscapular fossa, the size and shape of the subscapularis insertion facet on the lesser tubercle, and the orientation of the infraspinatus insertion facet on the greater tubercle all appear to successfully sort the extant taxa into locomotor groups. Their appearance on the fossil specimens generally supports previous functional interpretations of each taxon's locomotor abilities based on a variety of other characters, suggesting that these traits are equally applicable to fossil material. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of a shoulder injury prevention strength training program on eccentric external rotator muscle strength and glenohumeral joint imbalance in female overhead activity athletes

Imbalance of the eccentrically-activated external rotator cuff muscles versus the concentrically-activated internal rotator cuff muscles is a primary risk factor for glenohumeral joint injuries in overhead activity athletes. Nonisokinetic dynamometer based strength training studies, however, have focused exclusively on resulting concentric instead of applicable eccentric strength gains of the external rotator cuff muscles. Furthermore, previous strength training studies did not result in a reduction in glenoumeral joint muscle imbalance, thereby suggesting that currently used shoulder strength training programs do not effectively reduce the risk of shoulder injury to the overhead activity athlete. Two collegiate women tennis teams, consisting of 12 women, participated in this study throughout their preseason training. One team (n = 6) participated in a 5-week, 4 times a week, external shoulder rotator muscle strength training program next to their preseason tennis training. The other team (n = 6) participated in a comparable preseason tennis training program, but did not conduct any upper body strength training. Effects of this strength training program were evaluated by comparing pre- and posttraining data of 5 maximal eccentric external immediately followed by concentric internal contractions on a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer (Chattecx Corp., Hixson, Tennessee). Overall, the shoulder strength training program significantly increased eccentric external total work without significant effects on concentric internal total work, concentric internal mean peak force, or eccentric external mean peak force. In conclusion, by increasing the eccentric external total exercise capacity without a subsequent increase in the concentric internal total exercise capacity, this strength training program potentially decreases shoulder rotator muscle imbalances and the risk for shoulder injuries to overhead activity athletes.     

Effects of rotator cuff tears on muscle moment arms: a computational study

Rotator cuff tears cause morphologic changes to cuff tendons and muscles, which can alter muscle architecture and moment arm. The effects of these alterations on shoulder mechanical performance in terms of muscle force and joint strength are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to develop a three-dimensional explicit finite element model for investigating morphological changes to rotator cuff tendons following cuff tear. The subsequent objectives were to validate the model by comparing model-predicted moment arms to empirical data, and to use the model to investigate the hypothesis that rotator cuff muscle moment arms are reduced when tendons are divided along the force-bearing direction of the tendon. The model was constructed by extracting tendon, cartilage, and bone geometry from the male Visible Human data set. Infraspinatus and teres minor muscle and tendon paths were identified relative to the humerus and scapula. Kinetic and kinematic boundary conditions in the model replicated experimental protocols, which rotated the humerus from 45 degrees internal to 45 degrees external rotation with constant loads on the tendons. External rotation moment arms were calculated for two conditions of the cuff tendons: intact normal and divided tendon. Predicted moment arms were within the 1-99% confidence intervals of experimental data for nearly all joint angles and tendon sub-regions. In agreement with the experimental findings, when compared to the intact condition, predicted moment arms were reduced for the divided tendon condition. The results of this study provide evidence that one potential mechanism for the reduction in strength observed with cuff tear is reduction of muscle moment arms. The model provides a platform for future studies addressing mechanisms responsible for reduced muscle force and joint strength including changes to muscle length-tension operating range due to altered muscle and tendon excursions, and the effects of cuff tear size and location on moment arms and muscle forces.     

Fiber type distribution in the shoulder muscles of the tree shrew, the cotton-top tamarin, and the squirrel monkey related to shoulder movements and forelimb loading

Muscle fiber type composition of intrinsic shoulder muscles was examined in tree shrews, cotton-top tamarins, and squirrel monkeys with respect to their shoulder kinematics and forelimb loading during locomotion. Enzyme- and immunohistochemical techniques were applied to differentiate muscle fiber types on serial cross-sections of the shoulder. In the majority of the shoulder muscles, the proportions of fatigue resistant slow-twitch fibers (SO) and fatigable fast-twitch fibers (FG) were inversely related to each other, whereas the percentage of intermediate FOG-fibers varied independently. A segregation of fatigue resistant SO-fibers into deep muscle regions is indicative of differential activation of histochemically distinct muscle regions in which deep regions stabilize the joint against gravitational loading. In all three species, this antigravity function was demonstrated for both the supraspinatus and the cranial subscapularis muscle, which prevent passive joint flexion during the support phase of the limb. The infraspinatus muscle showed a high content of SO-fibers in the primate species but not in the tree shrew, which demonstrates the "new" role of the infraspinatus muscle in joint stabilization related to the higher degree of humeral protraction in primates. In the tree shrew and the cotton-top tamarin, a greater proportion of the body weight is carried on the forelimb, but the squirrel monkey exhibits a weight shift to the hind limbs. The lower amount of forelimb loading is reflected by an overall lower proportion of fatigue resistant muscle fibers in the shoulder muscles of the squirrel monkey. Several muscles such as the deltoid no longer function as joint stabilizers and allow the humerus to move beyond the scapular plane. These differences among species demonstrate the high plasticity of the internal muscle architecture and physiology which is suggested to be the underlying reason for different muscle activity patterns in homologous muscles. Implications for the evolution of new locomotor modes in primates are discussed.     

Sub-regional activation of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles during activities of daily living is task dependent

The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles each have multiple sub-regions that may activate differentially in activities of daily living. Awareness of these differential demands critically informs rehabilitation of rotator cuff muscle following injury, particularly if centered on recovering and strengthening the rotator cuff to perform daily tasks. This study quantified muscle activation of supraspinatus and infraspinatus sub-regions during the performance of six activities of daily living. Twenty-three participants (mean: 22.6 ± 2.6 years) completed the following tasks: opening a jar, reaching at shoulder height, overhead reaching, pouring water from a pitcher, eating with a spoon, and combing hair. Indwelling electromyography was collected from the anterior and posterior supraspinatus and superior, middle, and inferior infraspinatus. Tasks requiring high arm elevations (e.g. reaching at shoulder and overhead height) activated anterior supraspinatus between 21 and 28% MVC. The posterior supraspinatus consistently activated between 10 and 30% MVC across all tasks. All sub-regions of infraspinatus activated highly (between 18 and 25% MVC) in tasks requiring high arm elevations in flexion. These findings may be leveraged to define effective measures to increase rotator cuff function in daily tasks.     

Static optimization underestimates antagonist muscle activity at the glenohumeral joint: A musculoskeletal modeling study

Static optimization is commonly employed in musculoskeletal modeling to estimate muscle and joint loading; however, the ability of this approach to predict antagonist muscle activity at the shoulder is poorly understood. Antagonist muscles, which contribute negatively to a net joint moment, are known to be important for maintaining glenohumeral joint stability. This study aimed to compare muscle and joint force predictions from a subject-specific neuromusculoskeletal model of the shoulder driven entirely by measured muscle electromyography (EMG) data with those from a musculoskeletal model employing static optimization. Four healthy adults performed six sub-maximal upper-limb contractions including shoulder abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation. EMG data were simultaneously measured from 16 shoulder muscles using surface and intramuscular electrodes, and joint motion evaluated using video motion analysis. Muscle and joint forces were calculated using both a calibrated EMG-driven neuromusculoskeletal modeling framework, and musculoskeletal model simulations that employed static optimization. The EMG-driven model predicted antagonistic muscle function for pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and teres major during abduction and flexion; supraspinatus during adduction; middle deltoid during extension; and subscapularis, pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi during external rotation. In contrast, static optimization neural solutions showed little or no recruitment of these muscles, and preferentially activated agonistic prime movers with large moment arms. As a consequence, glenohumeral joint force calculations varied substantially between models. The findings suggest that static optimization may under-estimate the activity of muscle antagonists, and therefore, their contribution to glenohumeral joint stability.     

Fiber architecture of the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder and arm in semiterrestrial and arboreal guenons

The internal organization of myofibers and connective tissues has important physiologic implications for muscle function and for naturalistic behavior. In this study of forelimb muscle morphology and primate locomotion, fiber architecture is examined in the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder (musculi deltoideus, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, teres major, and t. minor) and arm (m. coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, brachialis, and triceps brachii) in the semiterrestrial vervets (Chlorocebus aethiops) and arboreal red-tailed guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius). Wet weights and lengths of whole muscles, lengths of fasciculi and their associated proximal and distal tendons, and angles of pinnation were measured to estimate morphologic correlates of physiologic properties of individual muscles: force, velocity/excursion, energy expense, and relative isometric or isotonic contraction. Neither mean total-shoulder:total-arm ratios for muscle mass nor total reduced physiological cross-sectional area exhibited significant (P < 0.05) interspecific differences, thus emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning musculoskeletal analyses by the data collected here. The results generally support those previously published for quadriceps femoris and triceps surae of the hind limb in these species (Anapol and Barry [1996] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 99:429-447). The fiber architecture of the semiterrestrial vervets is largely suited for higher velocity while running on the ground. By contrast, the architectural configuration of red-tailed monkeys implies relatively isometric muscle contraction and passive storage of elastic strain energy for exploitation of the compliant canopy, where substrate components are situated beneath the sagittal plane of the animal. With respect to relative distribution of maximum potential force output among muscles of either shoulder or arm groups in these otherwise hind limb-dominated quadrupedal primates, statistically significant interspecific differences are best interpreted in light of braking, climbing, and, for vervets, the transition between ground and canopy.The interspecific differences shown here for the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder and arm underscore the significance of intramuscular morphology in reconciling structure and function with regard to locomotor behavior. Its analysis and interpretation lend support to consideration of "semiterrestrial" as a bona fide locomotor category uniquely different from what is practiced by dedicated arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds that occasionally visit the habitat of one another. Data from a more committed terrestrial species would clarify this enigma.