Anatomy · Upper Limb

Long thoracic nerve and winging of scapula

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  • Long thoracic nerve (nerve to serratus anterior): root value C5, C6, C7, supplying serratus anterior; its injury produces winging of the scapula.

Serratus Anterior: Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply and Action

  • Serratus anterior keeps the medial (vertebral) border of the scapula in firm contact with the chest wall.

Serratus anterior, origin, insertion, nerve supply and action

Attribute

Origin

Details
8 digitations from upper 8 ribs; first digitation from ribs 1 and 2, remaining digitations from their corresponding ribs

Insertion

Details
Costal surface of scapula along its medial border: digitations 1 to 2 to superior angle, digitations 3 to 4 to medial border, lower 4 to 5 digitations to inferior angle

Nerve supply

Details
Long thoracic nerve (nerve to serratus anterior), root value C5, C6, C7

Action

Details
Protracts scapula around chest wall for pushing and punching (boxer's muscle); keeps medial border of scapula against chest wall; lower digitations, with lower trapezius, rotate scapula laterally and upward during overhead abduction