musculus pectoralis

5.1

A large muscle on each side of the chest that helps move the upper arm

noun
/ˈmʌskjələs pɛkˈtɔrəlɪs/

Specialized

: músculo pectoral

Damage to the musculus pectoralis can significantly limit arm movement.

Examples

The surgeon carefully examined the patient's musculus pectoralis before proceeding with the operation.
Anatomy students must learn to identify the musculus pectoralis on cadavers.
The musculus pectoralis is essential for arm movement.
Many athletes train their musculi pectorales to improve performance.
Anatomy students must learn to identify the musculus pectoralis on cadavers.
Damage to the musculus pectoralis can significantly limit arm movement.
The surgeon carefully examined the patient's musculus pectoralis before proceeding with the operation.

Synonyms

pecs

vsmusculus pectoralis

Informal

19 6.5

Muscles on each side of the chest that help move the arms

is the anatomical description stressing connection to arm and shoulder bones

pectoral

vsmusculus pectoralis

3 6.4

One of the two large front chest muscles that move the arm

emphasizes their physical link between chest wall and arm bones

pectoral muscle

vsmusculus pectoralis

Specialized

3 3.9

A large chest muscle that helps move the shoulder and upper arm

focuses on their attachment to the chest wall and upper arm bones

pectoralis

vsmusculus pectoralis

Specialized

2 7.2

A large chest muscle on each side that helps move the shoulder and upper arm

is the term that stresses the chest wall connection to the arm bones

pectoralis major

vsmusculus pectoralis

Specialized

1 4.6

A large chest muscle that helps move the arm toward the body and turn it

is the broader label for either chest muscle connecting chest to upper arm

musculus pectoralis major

vsmusculus pectoralis

Specialized

4.9

A large chest muscle that pulls the arm toward the body and turns it inward

is the more general name for either muscle attaching chest wall to arm bones

greater pectoral muscle

vsmusculus pectoralis

Specialized

5.2

A large chest muscle that pulls the arm toward the body and turns it inward

is the general term for either of the two chest muscles connecting chest to arm

Surface Forms

musculus pectoralis singular

musculi pectorales plural

Morphology

musculus + pectoralis

The compound is literally built from 'musculus' (muscle) + 'pectoralis' (chest-related), so its meaning 'chest muscle' or the pectoral muscle is directly derivable from the constituents. This follows regular anatomical Latin compounding and would be immediately comprehensible to a learner who knows both parts.

Etymology

The noun musculus pectoralis may come from Latin: musculus means 'little mouse' and pectoralis means 'chest', because people long ago thought the muscle moving under the skin looked like a little mouse. So the name today refers to the large muscle on the chest.