Pectoral Muscles

pectoral muscle location

anterior chest wall

pectoral muscles general function

exert a force on upper limb

list the pectoral muscles

pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, subclavius

pectoralis major location

most superficial (outside)

pectoralis major heads

sternal & clavicular

clavicular head of pectoralis major origin

anterior surface of medial clavicle

sternocostal head of pectoralis major origin

anterior surface of sternum, superior 6 costal cartilages & aponeurosis of external oblique

distal attachment of both heads of pectoralis major

intertubercular sulcus of humerus (lateral lip of intertubercular groove)

pectoralis major function

adducts & medially rotates upper limb, draws scapula anteroinferiorly, clavicular head also acts individually to flex upper limb

pectoralis major nerve supply

lateral & medial pectoral nerves

pectoralis minor location

beneath pectoralis major

pectoralis minor attachments

originates from 3rd-5th ribs, inserts into coracoid process of scapula

pectoralis minor function

stabilises scapula by drawing it anteroinferiorly against the thoracic wall

pectoralis minor nerve supply

medial pectoral nerves

both pectoralis major & minor form:

part of anterior wall of axilla region

axilla region

space below shoulder joint (armpit)

serratus anterior location

located laterally in chest wall & forms medial border of axilla region

serratus anterior attachments

lateral aspects of ribs 1-8, inserts onto costal (rib facing) surface of medial border of scapula

serratus anterior function

rotates scapula allowing arm to be raised >90’, protracts scapula, holding it against ribcage

serratus anterior nerve supply

long thoracic nerve

subclavius location

runs horizontally beneath clavicle

subclavius attachments

junction of 1st rib & its costal cartilage, inserts onto inferior surface of middle third of clavicle

subclavius function

anchors & depresses clavicle

subclavius nerve supply

nerve to subclavius