Which muscle group is responsible for rotating the arms?

The deltoid muscles play a significant role in the movement of the arms, particularly in shoulder rotation. This muscle group is located on the outer aspect of the shoulder and is responsible for lifting the arms away from the body, a movement known as abduction. While the deltoids are essential for this type of movement, their contribution to arm rotation is more about stabilizing and supporting the motions initiated by other muscles.

The correct answer is the rotator cuff muscle group. The rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles and their associated tendons that are integral for shoulder stability and allow for a range of shoulder movements, including rotation. These muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) work in unison to enable the arm to rotate both inward and outward, which is crucial for many daily activities and specific yoga poses.

In contrast, the latissimus dorsi is primarily involved in movements such as adduction and extension of the shoulder, and the trapezius muscles are more focused on the movements of the scapula as well as stabilization rather than direct rotation of the arms. Thus, while the deltoids are important for overall arm movement, the rotator cuff