Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🔺 Triangular shape 💪 Shoulder muscle
deltoideus

deltoideus

7.5
A shoulder muscle that lifts the arm away from the body
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛl.tɔɪˈdi.əs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : músculo deltoides
  • Injury to the deltoideus can make it difficult to lift objects overhead.

Examples

  • The deltoideus muscle is essential for shoulder movement.

  • Physical therapists often recommend exercises to strengthen the deltoideus after shoulder surgery.

  • The deltoideus plays a key role in raising your arm to the side.

  • The deltoideus is a key muscle in weightlifting.

  • The deltoideus muscle helps raise your arm sideways during exercises.

  • During shoulder rehabilitation, I focused on strengthening my deltoideus muscle.

  • The physical therapist explained how the deltoideus plays a crucial role in arm movements.

Synonyms

deltoid
vsdeltoideus
  • Specialized
6 4.6

A large triangular muscle on the shoulder that lifts and turns the arm

is narrower and emphasizes lifting the arm away not all movements
delt
vsdeltoideus
  • Slang
3 9.1

The muscle on the top of your shoulder

is the neutral anatomical name used in formal contexts
deltoid muscle
vsdeltoideus
  • Specialized
4.2

A large triangular shoulder muscle that lifts and turns the arm

focuses on lifting the arm away from the body
musculus deltoideus
vsdeltoideus
  • Specialized
6.2

A large triangular muscle on the shoulder that lifts and moves the arm

focuses on lifting away from the body rather than listing many actions

Compounds

musculus deltoideus
  • Specialized
6.2

A large triangular muscle on the shoulder that lifts and moves the arm

Surface Forms

deltoideus singular
deltoidei plural

Morphology

deltoideus = deltoid (opaque) = deltoid + eus

The Latinized form used in anatomical nomenclature is technical and not transparently predictable from 'deltoid' for most learners.

Etymology

Deltoideus comes from the Greek letter delta ('triangle') because the shoulder muscle has a triangular shape. That's why the word deltoideus (also seen as deltoid) names the muscle that helps lift your arm.