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The chest is a vital part of the body, encompassing the heart and lungs and allowing us to use our arms. The chest muscles are responsible for moving the arms across the body, up and down, and for pushing actions. They are also integral to shoulder movement and shoulder rotation. The chest is made up of several muscles, including the pectoralis major, the pectoralis minor, the serratus anterior, and the subclavius. These muscles are voluntary, meaning we control how they work, and they perform a range of functions and movements throughout the body.
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What You'll Learn
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle in the chest
The chest muscles are a group of skeletal muscles that enable a wide range of movements and functions throughout the body. They are voluntary muscles, meaning we control how they work.
The pectoralis major has two heads, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin. 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 sternocostal head is larger than the clavicular head.
The pectoralis major is responsible for flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus. The specific functions of the pectoralis major depend on which parts of the muscle are activated. The muscle fibres attaching to the clavicular head allow for the flexion of the humerus, such as when lifting a glass in a toast. The muscle fibres attaching to the sternocostal head permit the horizontal and vertical adduction, extension, and internal rotation of the upper extremity.
Injuries to the pectoralis major are rare but can be serious, typically affecting healthy and athletic individuals, especially those involved in high-impact contact sports or weight-lifting. A rupture of the pectoralis major tendon can result in pain, weakness, and disability. Treatment for severe injuries may include surgery, immobilization of the affected arm, and physical therapy.
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The pectoralis minor lies underneath the pectoralis major
The chest muscles, or pectoral muscles, are a group of skeletal muscles that connect the upper extremities to the anterior and lateral thoracic walls. These muscles are responsible for a wide range of movements of the upper extremities, including flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus, as well as stabilising the scapula.
The pectoralis minor is a thin, triangular muscle located at the upper part of the chest, underneath the pectoralis major. It is one of the most superficial muscles on the anterior aspect of the chest or thoracic wall. It arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces of the 3rd, 4th, and sometimes 5th ribs near their costal cartilages, and from the aponeuroses covering the intercostalis. Its tendon inserts onto the medial border and upper surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.
The pectoralis minor is an important chest muscle, integral to shoulder movement, especially shoulder rotation. It stabilises the scapula by holding it in position against the chest wall. When the scapula is fixed, the pectoralis minor can act as an accessory muscle of respiration, helping to raise ribs 3-5 during inspiration and aiding in expanding the thoracic cavity.
The pectoralis minor also serves as an important anatomical landmark. It divides the axillary artery into three parts: the first part medial, the second part deep/posterior, and the third part lateral in relation to the muscle. Additionally, it divides the axillary lymph nodes into three levels: lateral, deep, and medial.
The primary nerve supply to the pectoralis minor comes via the medial pectoral nerve, one of the minor branches of the brachial plexus that arises from the cervical portion of the spinal cord. It also receives innervation from the lateral pectoral nerve, resulting in innervation from the spinal roots of C5-T1.
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The serratus anterior is commonly known as the boxer's muscle
The chest muscles are a group of skeletal muscles that enable a wide range of movements of the upper extremities. These include flexion, adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus, stabilisation of the scapula, as well as elevating and depressing the bones of the thorax.
The serratus anterior is a muscle of the chest, specifically located at the lateral wall of the thorax. It is a fan-shaped muscle that extends from the lower shoulder to the ribs, originating from the upper eight or nine ribs. It is named from the Latin "serrare", meaning "to saw", referring to its shape, and "anterior", meaning "on the front side of the body".
The serratus anterior is commonly known as the "boxer's muscle" because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula, or the pulling of the scapula forward and around the rib cage, which occurs when someone throws a punch. This muscle is key to boxers' punching ability and can also help with overhead lifting. It is also a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement.
The serratus anterior is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, a branch of the brachial plexus. The nerve travels inferiorly on the surface of the muscle. The muscle is divided into three parts according to the points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior, intermediate, and inferior. All three parts pull the scapula forward around the thorax, which is essential for the anteversion of the arm.
In addition to its role in boxing, the serratus anterior is important in the daily lives of athletes, especially those who lift weights or dance. A weak serratus anterior can lead to serious back and shoulder pain, as well as a condition called scapular winging, where other muscles have to compensate for the lack of strength and mobility in the shoulder.
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The subclavius is a small, triangle-shaped muscle
The chest muscles, or pectoral muscles, are a group of skeletal muscles that connect the upper extremities to the anterior and lateral thoracic walls. They are voluntary muscles, meaning we control how they work, and they perform a range of functions and movements throughout the body.
The subclavius is innervated by the nerve to the subclavius, a branch of the brachial plexus. The nerve to the subclavius originates from the C5-C6 nerve roots. The subclavius receives arterial blood from the clavicular branch of the thoracoacromial artery, with contributions from the suprascapular artery.
The main function of the subclavius is to actively stabilize the clavicle at the sternoclavicular joint during movements of the shoulder and arm. Its contraction leads to a depression of the sternal end of the clavicle and subsequent elevation of the first rib. The subclavius also helps to prevent dislocation of the clavicle at the sternoclavicular joint and protect the neurovascular structures beneath it in the event of a clavicular fracture.
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Chest muscles are responsible for moving the arms
The chest, or the thoracic cage, is a vital part of the body, housing key organs such as the heart and lungs. The chest muscles are essential for several daily activities, providing the strength and flexibility required for functional movements.
The chest muscles, particularly the pectoralis major and minor, play a crucial role in moving the arms. The pectoralis major, the largest and most prominent chest muscle, is responsible for bringing the arms towards the body's midline (adduction) and internally rotating the humerus. It is composed of two heads, each with distinct functions: the sternal head, which accounts for 80% of the pectoralis major's size and powers most of its actions, and the clavicular head, which assists in these actions while also flexing the humerus, enabling arm-raising movements.
The pectoralis minor, situated beneath the pectoralis major, also plays a significant role in shoulder movement, especially shoulder rotation. It assists in stabilising the scapula by drawing it against the thoracic wall. The serratus anterior, another important chest muscle, is involved in rotating the scapula and allowing the arm to be raised beyond 90 degrees. This muscle is commonly known as the "boxer's muscle" due to its role in throwing punches.
The chest muscles work in coordination with other muscles in the region, such as the rhomboid major, infraspinatus, teres major, and deltoid, to facilitate a wide range of arm movements. These muscles enable actions such as raising, lowering, and rotating the arms. Additionally, the chest muscles enable pushing movements and help maintain good posture.
To maintain the health and functionality of the chest muscles, it is essential to incorporate stretching and strengthening exercises into your routine. This is particularly important for individuals who spend a significant amount of time sitting, as this can lead to tightness in the chest muscles and rounded shoulders. By performing chest exercises and stretches consistently, you can improve your upper body strength and flexibility, making daily movements easier and more effortless.
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Frequently asked questions
The chest muscles are responsible for moving the arms across the body and up and down, as well as enabling you to use your arms to push. They also help with breathing.
The chest muscles are called the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, and subclavius.
The pectoralis major is the largest muscle in the chest. It is also the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region.
The pectoralis minor lies underneath the pectoralis major and assists in key functions such as shoulder movement, especially shoulder rotation.
You can strengthen your chest muscles by doing exercises such as push-ups, bench presses, and dumbbell flies. It is recommended to work your chest twice a week, with at least 48 hours of recovery in between sessions.
