Pectoralis Minor
Original Editor - Esraa Mohamed Abdullzaher
Top Contributors - Ilona Malkauskaite, Lucinda hampton, Esraa Mohamed Abdullzaher, Joao Costa, Ahmed Nasr and Kim Jackson
Description[edit | edit source]
The pectoralis minor is located under the pectoralis major, and both form the anterior wall of the axilla. The contracted muscle can be easily palpated there. It is also located close in relation to the brachial plexus and both the subclavian artery and vein, which all run between the muscle and the ribcage.[1]
Origin[edit | edit source]
It originates from the third to fifth ribs.[1]
Insertion[edit | edit source]
It inserts on the coracoid process of the scapula.[1]
Nerve[edit | edit source]
It is innervated by the medial and lateral pectoral nerves (C6-Th1), branches of the brachial plexus.[1]
Artery[edit | edit source]
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.[2]
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary actions of this muscle include the stabilization, depression, abduction or protraction, upward tilt, and downward rotation of the scapula. When the ribs are immobilized, this muscle brings the scapula forward, and when the scapula is fixed, it lifts up the rib cage. Both pectoralis muscles work with the serratus anterior muscles to create a full range of movement for the scapula.[3]
