Logan Steele
The chest is made up of several muscles, including the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, which are responsible for bringing the arms closer to the body and rotating the arms. These muscles are often the focus of strength and physique training, such as during International Chest Day celebrated by gym-goers. The chest muscles are susceptible to strain and injury, especially due to their frequent use in daily activities and exercises. Understanding the anatomy of the chest muscles is crucial for effective training and preventing injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chest muscles | 2 |
| Names of chest muscles | Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor |
| Muscle that assists in shoulder movement | Pectoralis Minor |
| Muscle that assists in rotating the arms | Pectoralis Major |
| Muscle that helps in breathing | Pectoralis Minor |
| Muscle that is also called the "boxer muscle" | Serratus Anterior |
| Muscle that elevates the clavicle bone | Subclavius |
| Grades of muscle strain | Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate), Grade 3 (severe) |
| Number of muscles in the human body | 600+ |
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What You'll Learn
- The pectoralis major is the largest muscle in the chest
- The pectoralis minor lies beneath the pectoralis major
- The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that extends from the lower shoulder to the ribs
- The subclavius is a small, triangle-shaped muscle that elevates the clavicle bone when breathing in
- Chest muscles can be strained and should be exercised responsibly to avoid injury
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle in the chest
The chest is made up of various muscles, including the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. The pectoralis major is the largest muscle in the chest and is the main muscle associated with the chest. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior chest wall. It is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region, originating at the clavicle (collarbone), the sternum, the ribs, and a tendinous extension of the external oblique abdominal muscle.
The pectoralis major is a voluntary muscle, meaning we control how it works. It is involved in a range of functions and movements throughout the body, particularly in the chest, shoulders, and arms. Its main action is to bring the arms closer to the body, but it also assists with moving the shoulders and rotating the arms. The pectoralis major is active during deep or forced inspiration, providing assistance to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in proper breathing.
The pectoralis major is a popular target for strengthening exercises, especially pressing exercises such as the flat barbell bench press and the flat dumbbell bench press. These exercises involve an individual lying supine on a bench with their feet flat on the ground, using weights to perform controlled movements that target the pectoralis major.
Injuries to the pectoralis major are relatively rare but can occur, especially in athletic populations engaging in high-impact contact sports or weight lifting. Tears or ruptures of the pectoralis major can result in pain, weakness, and disability, typically requiring surgery and physical therapy for treatment. Congenital abnormalities, such as Poland Syndrome, can also result in the absence of the pectoralis major, although this does not always cause functional loss in ordinary activities.
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The pectoralis minor lies beneath the pectoralis major
The chest is made up of various muscles, including the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. The pectoralis major is the larger and stronger of the two and is, therefore, the most important of the chest muscles. It is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region, and it makes up the bulk of the chest muscles. The pectoralis major lies under the breast and is attached to a ridge at the rear of the upper arm bone (humerus). Its main function is to bring the arms closer to the body, but it also assists with moving the shoulders and rotating the arms.
The pectoralis minor, on the other hand, is situated beneath the pectoralis major. It is an inferior, smaller muscle that assists in key functions. It is integral to shoulder movement, especially shoulder rotation, and is located in a sensitive area near the rib cage. The pectoralis minor originates from the middle ribs and attaches to the scapula (shoulder blade). It aids in drawing the shoulder forward and downward.
While the pectoralis minor is generally situated beneath the pectoralis major, it is important to note that the pectoralis major itself has two parts: the clavicular head and the sternocostal head. The clavicular head originates from the anterior surface of the medial clavicle, while the sternocostal head originates from the anterior surface of the sternum, the superior six costal cartilages, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle.
The pectoralis minor, being underneath the pectoralis major, is prone to painful tightness, which can disrupt posture. This tightness can be caused by overuse, and it is important to prevent injury to the chest muscles by maintaining proper posture and incorporating strength training into one's exercise regimen.
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The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that extends from the lower shoulder to the ribs
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the first to eighth or ninth ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax. It is a thin and superficial muscle that lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. The serratus anterior is also referred to as the "boxer's muscle" because it enables a long and strong reach, which is essential for boxing.
The serratus anterior has three main parts: the superior part, the inferior part, and the medial border. The superior part of the serratus anterior originates from the first to the second rib and inserts at the superior angle of the scapula. The inferior part, which is the most prominent and powerful section of the muscle, originates from the fourth to the eighth or ninth rib and inserts at the medial border and inferior angle of the scapula. The lowest attachment of the inferior part may extend to the tenth rib in approximately 10% of the population. The medial border of the serratus anterior is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, which arises from the C5 to C7 nerve roots of the brachial plexus.
The serratus anterior muscle plays a crucial role in scapular protraction and upward rotation. It acts in conjunction with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to facilitate overhead lifting. Additionally, the serratus anterior is responsible for stabilising the scapula, ensuring that the shoulder blades remain firmly against the rib cage during rest and movement. This muscle also assists in respiration by lifting the ribs when the shoulder girdle is fixed.
The serratus anterior is susceptible to weakness, which can be assessed through tests such as the Serratus Anterior Strength Test or Push Out Test. Damage to the long thoracic nerve can impair or even paralyse the serratus anterior, leading to a condition known as neurogenic scapular winging. To prevent and manage such conditions, it is important to be aware of the anatomy and function of the serratus anterior muscle.
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The subclavius is a small, triangle-shaped muscle that elevates the clavicle bone when breathing in
The chest is made up of several muscles, including the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, the serratus anterior, and the subclavius. While the pectoralis major and minor are the largest and strongest chest muscles, the subclavius is a small, often forgotten muscle.
The subclavius muscle is a small, triangle-shaped muscle located in the anterior thorax, underneath the clavicle. It originates from the first rib and inserts on the undersurface of the middle third of the clavicle. The subclavius is enclosed by the clavipectoral fascia, a fibrous connective tissue that spans the interval between the clavicle and pectoralis minor muscle. The pectoralis major muscle, the largest and most superficial chest muscle, courses superficially to the subclavius and clavipectoral fascia.
The main function of the subclavius is to stabilize the clavicle during movements of the shoulder and arm. It helps to prevent dislocation of the clavicle at the sternoclavicular joint and protects the neurovascular structures beneath it in the event of a fracture. The subclavius also receives arterial blood from the clavicular branch of the thoracoacromial artery, with contributions from the suprascapular artery.
In addition to its role in stabilization and protection, the subclavius is important in preventing injuries to the adjacent subclavian blood vessels and the superior trunk of the brachial plexus in the event of a fractured clavicle. The vessels and nerves running behind the subclavius muscle can become entrapped between the clavicle and the first rib, resulting in costoclavicular syndrome, one of the types of thoracic outlet syndromes (TOS).
The subclavius muscle is also involved in breathing. When we breathe in, the subclavius elevates the clavicle bone, assisting in the expansion of the chest cavity and facilitating inhalation. This function is particularly important during physical activities or exercises that require deep or rapid breathing.
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Chest muscles can be strained and should be exercised responsibly to avoid injury
The chest includes some of the most prominent muscles in the human body, and they are constantly at work. The main function of the chest muscles is to bring the arms closer to the body with strength and control, but they also help stabilise the shoulders, lift the arms, and maintain proper posture. The pectoralis major is the biggest and strongest of the chest muscles, followed by the pectoralis minor, which is situated beneath the pectoralis major.
Chest muscles can be strained, and a pulled chest muscle is a common cause of chest pain. Strains can be caused by overstretching, twisting, or impact force, and are a common sports injury. They can also occur in day-to-day life, especially in activities that require forceful or repetitive motion, such as weightlifting, tennis, golf, gymnastics, and rowing. A strained chest muscle can cause pain that gets worse with movement, deep breathing, or coughing.
To avoid straining your chest muscles, it is important to exercise them responsibly. This includes maintaining proper posture and incorporating a well-rounded strength-training routine into your exercise regimen. It is also important to properly warm up before any chest exercises to prevent injury. A dynamic warm-up that includes lower-resistance movements similar to the exercises you are about to perform can be helpful.
There are several exercises that can help strengthen the chest muscles, such as push-ups, bench presses, and dumbbell presses. It is important to start with modified versions of these exercises if you are a beginner and gradually increase the intensity as you build strength. Additionally, consuming adequate protein can help support muscle growth and recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
The chest is not a muscle, but it does contain muscles. There are two main chest muscles, the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor, known collectively as the pecs.
The pectoralis major is the larger and stronger of the two chest muscles. It originates at the clavicle (collarbone), the sternum, the ribs, and a tendinous extension of the external oblique abdominal muscle. It extends across the upper part of the chest and is attached to a ridge at the rear of the humerus (the upper arm bone).
The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle that lies beneath the pectoralis major. It originates from the third to fifth ribs and inserts into the medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process (the shoulder blade). It is crucial in stabilising the scapula (shoulder blade) by pulling it downward and forward.
