Category Archive Anatomy A – Z

What Is Levator Scapulae? Functions, Origin/Levator Scapulae is a skeletal muscle situated at the back and side of the neck. As the Latin name suggests, its main function is to lift the scapula. The levator scapulae originate from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of cervical vertebrae one to four. The muscle is inserted into the medial border of the scapula extending from a superior angle to junction of the spine and medial border of the scapula.^[rx]

The levator scapulae may lie deep to the Sternocleidomastoid at its origin, deep or adjacent to the splenius capitis at its origin and mid-portion, and deep to the trapezius in its lower portion.

At a Glance 0f Levator Scapulae

• Function – Elevates the scapula.
• Origin – Transverse processes of the C1 to C4 vertebrae
• Insertion – Medial border of the scapula
• Innervation – C3, C4, and the Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)

Relations

One of the muscles within the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck, the superior part of levator scapulae is covered by sternocleidomastoid and its inferior part by the trapezius. It is bounded in front by the scalenus medius and behind by splenius cervicis. The spinal accessory nerve crosses laterally in the middle part of the muscle and the dorsal scapular nerve may lie deep to or pass through it.^[rx]

Origin of Levator Scapulae

Levator scapulae is a thin muscle that descends from the neck to the scapula. It originates from the transverse processes of C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), C3, and C4. The fibers run diagonally from these points to the medial scapular border just above where the spine of the scapula connects. Origination points of this muscle can vary in the neck and posterior skull.[rx]

Nerve supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by two or three branches of the fourth and fifth cervical nerves,^[rx] and frequently by a branch from the dorsal scapular nerve.^[rx]

Blood supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by the dorsal scapular artery. Normally, this artery has a small branch which passes laterally to the supraspinatus fossa of the scapula, and in a third of cases, this branch supplies the muscle. If the dorsal scapular artery comes off the transverse cervical artery, the parent transverse cervical artery splits, the dorsal scapular artery passes medially, while the transverse cervical artery passes laterally.^[rx]

The Functions of Levator Scapulae

• Function: Elevates the scapula. When the spine is fixed, levator scapulae elevates the scapula and rotates its inferior angle medially.^[rx] It often works in combination with other muscles like the rhomboids and pectoralis minor to rotate down.
• Elevating or rotating one shoulder at a time would require muscles to stabilize the cervical spine and keep it immobile so it does not flex or rotate. Elevating both at once with equal amounts of pull on both sides of cervical spinal origins would counteract these forces. The downward rotation would be prevented by the co-contraction of other muscles that elevate the spine, the upper fibers of the trapezius, which is an upward rotator.
• When the shoulder is fixed, levator scapulae rotates to the same side and flexes the cervical spine laterally.^[rx] When both shoulders are fixed, a simultaneous co-contraction of both levator scapulae muscles in equal amounts would not produce lateral flexion or rotation and may produce straight flexion or extension of the cervical spine.

References

Functions of Levator Scapulae/Levator scapulae is a skeletal muscle situated at the back and side of the neck. As the Latin name suggests, its main function is to lift the scapula. The levator scapulae originate from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of cervical vertebrae one to four. The muscle is inserted into the medial border of the scapula extending from a superior angle to junction of the spine and medial border of the scapula.^[rx]

The levator scapulae may lie deep to the Sternocleidomastoid at its origin, deep or adjacent to the splenius capitis at its origin and mid-portion, and deep to the trapezius in its lower portion.

At a Glance 0f Levator Scapulae

• Function – Elevates the scapula.
• Origin – Transverse processes of the C1 to C4 vertebrae
• Insertion – Medial border of the scapula
• Innervation – C3, C4, and the Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)

Relations

One of the muscles within the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck, the superior part of levator scapulae is covered by sternocleidomastoid and its inferior part by the trapezius. It is bounded in front by the scalenus medius and behind by splenius cervicis. The spinal accessory nerve crosses laterally in the middle part of the muscle and the dorsal scapular nerve may lie deep to or pass through it.^[rx]

Origin of Levator Scapulae

Levator scapulae is a thin muscle that descends from the neck to the scapula. It originates from the transverse processes of C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), C3, and C4. The fibers run diagonally from these points to the medial scapular border just above where the spine of the scapula connects. Origination points of this muscle can vary in the neck and posterior skull.[rx]

Nerve supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by two or three branches of the fourth and fifth cervical nerves,^[rx] and frequently by a branch from the dorsal scapular nerve.^[rx]

Blood supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by the dorsal scapular artery. Normally, this artery has a small branch which passes laterally to the supraspinatus fossa of the scapula, and in a third of cases, this branch supplies the muscle. If the dorsal scapular artery comes off the transverse cervical artery, the parent transverse cervical artery splits, the dorsal scapular artery passes medially, while the transverse cervical artery passes laterally.^[rx]

The Functions of Levator Scapulae

• Function: Elevates the scapula. When the spine is fixed, levator scapulae elevates the scapula and rotates its inferior angle medially.^[rx] It often works in combination with other muscles like the rhomboids and pectoralis minor to rotate down.
• Elevating or rotating one shoulder at a time would require muscles to stabilize the cervical spine and keep it immobile so it does not flex or rotate. Elevating both at once with equal amounts of pull on both sides of cervical spinal origins would counteract these forces. The downward rotation would be prevented by the co-contraction of other muscles that elevate the spine, the upper fibers of the trapezius, which is an upward rotator.
• When the shoulder is fixed, levator scapulae rotates to the same side and flexes the cervical spine laterally.^[rx] When both shoulders are fixed, a simultaneous co-contraction of both levator scapulae muscles in equal amounts would not produce lateral flexion or rotation and may produce straight flexion or extension of the cervical spine.

References

Levator scapulae is a skeletal muscle situated at the back and side of the neck. As the Latin name suggests, its main function is to lift the scapula. The levator scapulae originate from the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of cervical vertebrae one to four. The muscle is inserted into the medial border of the scapula extending from a superior angle to junction of the spine and medial border of the scapula.^[rx]

The levator scapulae may lie deep to the Sternocleidomastoid at its origin, deep or adjacent to the splenius capitis at its origin and mid-portion, and deep to the trapezius in its lower portion.

At a Glance 0f Levator Scapulae

• Function – Elevates the scapula.
• Origin – Transverse processes of the C1 to C4 vertebrae
• Insertion – Medial border of the scapula
• Innervation – C3, C4, and the Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)

Relations

One of the muscles within the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck, the superior part of levator scapulae is covered by sternocleidomastoid and its inferior part by the trapezius. It is bounded in front by the scalenus medius and behind by splenius cervicis. The spinal accessory nerve crosses laterally in the middle part of the muscle and the dorsal scapular nerve may lie deep to or pass through it.^[rx]

Origin of Levator Scapulae

Levator scapulae is a thin muscle that descends from the neck to the scapula. It originates from the transverse processes of C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), C3, and C4. The fibers run diagonally from these points to the medial scapular border just above where the spine of the scapula connects. Origination points of this muscle can vary in the neck and posterior skull.[rx]

Nerve supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by two or three branches of the fourth and fifth cervical nerves,^[rx] and frequently by a branch from the dorsal scapular nerve.^[rx]

Blood supply

The levator scapulae are supplied by the dorsal scapular artery. Normally, this artery has a small branch which passes laterally to the supraspinatus fossa of the scapula, and in a third of cases, this branch supplies the muscle. If the dorsal scapular artery comes off the transverse cervical artery, the parent transverse cervical artery splits, the dorsal scapular artery passes medially, while the transverse cervical artery passes laterally.^[rx]

The Functions of Levator Scapulae

• Function: Elevates the scapula. When the spine is fixed, levator scapulae elevates the scapula and rotates its inferior angle medially.^[rx] It often works in combination with other muscles like the rhomboids and pectoralis minor to rotate down.
• Elevating or rotating one shoulder at a time would require muscles to stabilize the cervical spine and keep it immobile so it does not flex or rotate. Elevating both at once with equal amounts of pull on both sides of cervical spinal origins would counteract these forces. The downward rotation would be prevented by the co-contraction of other muscles that elevate the spine, the upper fibers of the trapezius, which is an upward rotator.
• When the shoulder is fixed, levator scapulae rotates to the same side and flexes the cervical spine laterally.^[rx] When both shoulders are fixed, a simultaneous co-contraction of both levator scapulae muscles in equal amounts would not produce lateral flexion or rotation and may produce straight flexion or extension of the cervical spine.

References

All About Pectoralis Minor Muscle/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

How do you test for pectoralis minor?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

How do you test for pectoralis minor?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

What actions do the pectoralis major and minor perform?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

What nerve supplies the pectoralis minor?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

What movement does the pectoralis minor perform?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

What nerve supplies the pectoralis minor?/Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

References

Pectoralis minor is a thin triangular muscle situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near their cartilages and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. The fibers pass superior and lateral and converge to form a flat tendon, which is inserted into the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.

Pectoralis minor tightness may be seen in individuals with scapular dyskinesis, and stretching is used for the treatment of altered scapular motion in sports and clinical fields. However, few researchers have reported on the effects of pectoralis minor stiffness on scapular motion during arm elevation. This study investigated whether an acute decrease of pectoralis minor stiffness after stretching changes the scapular motion during arm elevation. The study allocated 15 dominant and 15 nondominant upper limbs in healthy men as control and interventional limbs, respectively. In the intervention limb group, the shoulder was passively and horizontally abducted at 150° of elevation for 5 minutes to stretch the pectoralis minor muscle. Before and after stretching, an electromagnetic sensor was used to examine 3-dimensional scapular motion during abduction and scaption. Ultrasonic shear wave elastography was used to measure pectoralis minor stiffness before and immediately after stretching and after arm elevation.

Anatomy of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor lies underneath its larger counterpart muscle, pectoralis major. Both of these muscles form part of the anterior wall of the axilla region.

• Attachments – Originates from the 3rd-5th ribs, and inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Function – Stabilises the scapula by drawing it anteroinferior against the thoracic wall.
• Innervation – Medial pectoral nerve.

The Function of Pectoralis Minor

The pectoralis minor depresses the point of the shoulder, drawing the scapula superior, towards the thorax, and throwing its inferior angle posteriorly.

The pectoralis minor muscle functions primarily to move the scapula both forward and downward. The scapula is one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. By moving the scapula forward and downward, the pectoralis minor muscle helps to maintain the mobility of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile joints in the body.

Additionally, the pectoralis minor functions to raise the third through fifth ribs, which can aid in inhalation by helping the rib cage to expand, allowing lung capacity to increase (just like when you took a deep breath before trying to hold your breath underwater).

Pectoralis Minor

Muscles are very metabolically active tissues, meaning that they required a lot of blood in order to function properly and stay healthy. The blood vessel that supplies the pectoralis minor muscle with blood is the thoracoacromial artery, which is a short artery that branches off the larger axillary artery of the chest and upper extremities.

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