Victor Forge
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 considered a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement. The serratus anterior is essential for proper shoulder function and movement and is critical for shoulder stability. It is also known as the boxer's muscle because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula, which is the pulling of the scapula forward and around the rib cage that occurs when someone throws a punch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Shape | Fan-shaped |
| Muscle Type | Chest muscle |
| Muscle Function | Pull the scapula forward around the thorax |
| Muscle Parts | Serratus anterior superior, serratus anterior intermediate, serratus anterior inferior |
| Muscle Stabilization | Helps to stabilize the shoulder blade against the rib cage |
| Muscle Strength | Weakness leads to altered line of pull of the rotator cuff muscle |
| Muscle Pain | Serratus anterior myofascial pain syndrome (SAMPS) |
| Muscle Injury | Injury to the serratus can result in a winged scapula |
| Muscle Exercises | Push-ups, planks, rhomboid pulls, arm dancing, oblique punches |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle
The serratus anterior is a very thin muscle that covers the side of the ribcage. It lies deep to the scapula and the pectoral muscles and is easily palpated between the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles. You can feel it by putting your hand just below your armpit. The serratus anterior is occasionally called the "big swing muscle" or "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 that occurs when someone throws a punch.
The serratus anterior is divided into three parts according to the points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior is inserted near the superior angle; the serratus anterior intermediate is inserted along the medial border; and the serratus anterior inferior is inserted near the inferior angle. The muscle is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, a branch of the brachial plexus. The long thoracic nerve travels inferiorly on the surface of the serratus anterior muscle.
The serratus anterior is essential for proper shoulder function, positioning, and stabilization. It is a key stabilizer of the scapula, keeping the shoulder blades against the rib cage when at rest and during movement. It acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, which allows for overhead lifting. When the shoulder blade is in a fixed position, the serratus anterior lifts the ribcage and supports breathing.
Muscle Overloading: Friend or Foe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It originates from the upper 8 or 9 ribs
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the upper eight or nine ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax. It then wraps posteromedially around the ribcage, passing beneath the scapula to insert on the underside of the scapula on its medial border. The serratus anterior is a very thin muscle that covers the side of the ribcage.
The serratus anterior is divided into three parts according to the points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior, serratus anterior intermediate, and serratus anterior inferior. The serratus anterior superior is inserted near the superior angle of the scapula, the serratus anterior intermediate is inserted along the medial border, and the serratus anterior inferior is inserted near the inferior angle. These three parts work together to pull the scapula forward around the thorax, which is essential for the anteversion of the arm.
The serratus anterior is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement. It is essential for proper shoulder function, movement, and positioning. The serratus anterior acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, which allows for overhead lifting.
The serratus anterior is also 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 that occurs when someone throws a punch. It is also occasionally called the "big swing muscle".
Gorilla Strength: Dense Muscle Power Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It wraps around the rib cage and under the scapula
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the first to eighth ribs or the first to ninth ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax. It wraps around the rib cage and under the scapula (shoulder blade). The serratus anterior is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the rib cage when at rest and during movement. It acts on the scapula and is the prime mover in both scapular protraction and scapular upward rotation.
The serratus anterior is divided into three parts according to the points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior is inserted near the superior angle; the serratus anterior intermediate is inserted along the medial border; and the serratus anterior inferior is inserted near the inferior angle. The muscle is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, a branch of the brachial plexus.
The serratus anterior is essential for proper shoulder function and movement, as well as shoulder stability. It is also considered a secondary muscle of respiration, as it helps to elevate the ribs during normal breathing.
Weakness of the serratus anterior can lead to a reduced range of motion or lack of stability in the shoulder blades. It can also alter the line of pull of the rotator cuff muscle, increasing the risk of subacromial impingement syndrome. Strengthening the serratus anterior can improve scapular stability and assist in overhead exercises such as overhead presses and dumbbell bench presses.
Ways to Increase Muscle Damage for Effective Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The serratus anterior is divided into three parts
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the first to eighth ribs or the first to ninth ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax. Its main function is the anterolateral movement of the scapula. It is also a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement. The serratus anterior is occasionally called the "big swing muscle" or "boxer's muscle" because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula — that is, the pulling of the scapula forward and around the rib cage that occurs when someone throws a punch.
All three parts of the serratus anterior work together to pull the scapula forward around the thorax, which is essential for anteversion of the arm. When the inferior and superior parts act together, they keep the scapula pressed against the thorax, working together with the rhomboids. The inferior part can pull the lower end of the scapula laterally and forward, rotating the scapula to make elevation of the arm possible. Additionally, all three parts can lift the ribs when the shoulder girdle is fixed, assisting in respiration.
The serratus anterior is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, a branch of the brachial plexus. This nerve is vulnerable during certain types of surgery, such as lymph node clearance from the axilla for breast cancer. Damage to this nerve is the most common cause of winged scapula. Blunt trauma to the muscle itself may lead to serratus anterior myofascial pain syndrome, resulting in primary pain localized to the fifth to seventh ribs along the midaxillary line.
Spiders' Muscles: What Powers Their Prowess?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is a key stabiliser of the scapula
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the first to eighth ribs or the first to ninth ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax. It is a thin muscle that covers the side of the ribcage and lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles.
The serratus anterior is a key stabiliser of the scapula. It acts on the scapula and is the prime mover in both scapular protraction and scapular upward rotation. It is the strongest protractor of the scapula, sending the scapula forward and around the rib cage. This muscle works in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, which allows for overhead lifting.
The serratus anterior is also responsible for scapular stability. It helps to keep the shoulder blades in place and prevents them from collapsing inward. It is considered a protective muscle. When the arms are being pulled forward, the rhomboids are activated so the shoulder blades don't spread too far apart. When the arms are being pushed back, the serratus anterior takes over to prevent the shoulder blades from collapsing inward.
Weakness of the serratus anterior can lead to scapular instability, a reduced range of motion, and shoulder pain. Serratus anterior myofascial pain syndrome (SAMPS) is a rare condition that can cause pain over the fifth to seventh ribs, radiating to other parts of the upper body. Injury to the serratus anterior can also result in a winged scapula, causing a visual bump in the back where the shoulder blade resides.
Muscle and Strength: Legit or a Scam?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of the first to eighth ribs or the first to ninth ribs at the lateral wall of the thorax.
The serratus muscle is essential for proper shoulder function and movement. It is also a key stabilizer of the scapula and helps to keep the shoulder blades in place.
Serratus anterior muscle pain may be caused by tension, stress, overuse, or nerve injury.
Serratus anterior myofascial pain syndrome (SAMPS) is a rare condition that presents with pain over the fifth to seventh ribs and may radiate to other parts of the upper body.
Common exercises to strengthen the serratus anterior muscle include push-ups, planks, rhomboid pulls, and oblique punches.
