Pectoralis major

Looks like

A broad fan across the front of the chest, from breastbone and collarbone to the arm bone.

What it does

Pulls the arm forward and across the body — pushing, hugging, throwing.

Keeping it well

Warm up before heavy pressing; a sudden tear at the armpit needs surgery in athletes.

Its parts

• Abdominal part of right pectoralis major
• Sternocostal part of right pectoralis major
• Abdominal part of left pectoralis major
• Sternocostal part of left pectoralis major
• Clavicular part of pectoralis major

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Gynaecomastia
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Tetanus