Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis (left) — SENIAM EMG Electrode Placement

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Anterior Deltoid“, p. 303

Placement type: Specific site The signal originates predominantly from this muscle.
Signal check: Forward flexion, abduction or horizontal adduction of the arm.
Crosstalk from: middle deltoid · biceps brachii · pectoralis major

The position above follows SENIAM; the crosstalk and artefact notes apply to surface recording of this muscle in general.

Print as a session sheet · A4 with landmarks, signal check and MVC test

Source: SENIAM (Hermens 2000) ↗

Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2000;10(5):361-74.

Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references → · SENIAM reference table · How electrodes are placed (guide) · Glossary

Go deeper Which Muscles Cannot Be Measured With Surface EMG — and Why → Specific, Quasi-Specific, General — The Three Types of Surface EMG Placement →

All 49 muscle protocols as a PDF — free

Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 77 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.

Anatomy & Function

The M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis (Anterior Deltoid) is a muscle of the shoulder region. It is responsible for anteversion (flexion), internal rotation and horizontal adduction at shoulder joint. This muscle is one of 26 with official SENIAM-recommended surface EMG electrode placement. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).

Function Anteversion (flexion), internal rotation and horizontal adduction at shoulder joint Origin Lateral third of clavicle Insertion Deltoid tuberosity of humerus Innervation Axillary nerve (posterior cord), C5–C6

Innervation after Perotto AO, Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer, 5th ed. 2011 — an anatomical reference, not an electrode placement recommendation.

Clinical applications (SENIAM)

Rotator cuff rehabilitation
Impingement syndrome biofeedback
Pre-/post-surgical shoulder assessment

Test Movement

Raise arm forward (flexion) against resistance

Detail: sensor on the M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis — Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.

MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)

Position: Seated with the back supported, arm flexed forward to about 90°.
Fixation: Trunk fixed against the backrest, arm fixed near the 90° flexion position.
Resistance: Fixed strap or manual resistance from above on the upper arm, flexion against it.
Control exercise: Compare with the abduction test of the middle deltoid.

Konrad recommends the flexion/extension position for the clavicular part instead of pure abduction.

Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 31. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC

Measure M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis activity live

The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.

In rehabilitation, the Anterior Deltoid is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.

EMG biofeedback in physiotherapy → What is EMG biofeedback? PicoBlue sensors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis?

1 finger width distal and anterior to acromion. Orientation: Toward acromion–thumb. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).

Which test movement activates the M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis?

Raise arm forward (flexion) against resistance. This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.

Is the M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

Yes. The M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.

M. Deltoideus Pars Clavicularis

Electrode Placement (SENIAM)