1. 1  a suffix, equivalent in meaning to -ic, occurring in adjectives of Greek origin (analytic), used especially in the formation of adjectives from nouns with stems in -sis: hematotic; neurotic. Origin of -tic. Greek.
The supraspinatus muscle is one of the musculotendinous support structures called the rotator cuff that surround and enclose the shoulder. It helps to resist the inferior gravitational forces placed across the shoulder joint due to the downward pull from the weight of the upper limb.
There are FOUR rotator cuff muscles to which we add a fifth for convenience because it's often involved. 1  SUPRA-spinatus muscle. It lies above the spine of the scapula and is involved in raising the arm. 2  INFRA-spinatus muscle. This muscle lies below the spine of the scapula, hence infra. 3  SUB-scapularis muscle.