The Anatomy of the Chest Muscles - Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor

Anatomy of the Chest Muscles
***Home* *-> Advanced Training*** -> Muscular Anatomy -> Chest Anatomy

Anatomy Chart courtesy of FCIT

The Pectoralis Major muscles (also known as the Pecs) are located on the front of the rib cage.

The Pecs attach to the humerus near the shoulder joint and originate on the breastbone in the center of the chest.

The fibers of the Pectoralis muscles run like a fan across the chest. The fan-like structure of the Pecs allows the humerus to move in a variety of planes across the body.

The Pectoralis Minor muscle (not shown in the diagram) is located underneath the pectoralis major muscle, attaching to the coracoid process of the scapula and originating on the middle ribs.

Functions

The function of the Pectoralis Major is to bring the humerus across the chest. A flye movement is the best example of this action.

The Pectoralis Minor serves to move the shoulder area forward. This can be seen by shrugging your shoulder forward.

Exercises

Exercises that work the Pectoralis muscles include:

Flat barbell bench press	Dumbell flyes	Push-ups
Incline barbell bench press	Cable crossovers	Dips
Flat dumbell bench press	Pec deck machine

Here is a list of unique exercises and articles for the chest that have been published in our monthly
training newsletter "BetterU News" and on our membership site Powerful Training Secrets
Free Trial area (these links will open in new windows).

Lockout Partial Bench Press Combo For Strengthening Connective Tissue

Concentration Flyes

Rolled-Up Towel For Bench Press

Secret Training Tip #995 - How To Effectively Work and Build the Upper Chest

How To Do The Perfect Bench Press Rep

Training The Stretch - A Stretch Position Superset That Will Pile on Muscle

Secret Training Tip #579 - Power Rack Dips - A Unique Set-Up For a More Powerful Dip

Unstable And Proud Of It! This amazing technique turns the ordinary push-up into an exercise "in stability."

Anatomy of the Chest Muscles Home -> Advanced Training -> Muscular Anatomy -> Chest Anatomy

Anatomy of the Chest Muscles
***Home* *-> Advanced Training*** -> Muscular Anatomy -> Chest Anatomy