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The serratus anterior, commonly known as the boxer's muscle, is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of ribs 1 to 8 (or 9 in some people) and wraps around the ribcage, inserting on the underside of the scapula. It is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage at rest and during movement. Its main function is to help the movement of the scapula, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles, which is essential for boxers when throwing a punch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Serratus Anterior, Boxer's Muscle, Big Swing Muscle |
| Shape | Fan-shaped |
| Location | Originates on the superolateral surfaces of ribs 1 to 8 or 9 at the lateral wall of the thorax |
| Insertion | Along the superior angle, medial border, and inferior angle of the scapula |
| Main Function | Helps the movement of the scapula, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles |
| Stabilization | Keeps the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement |
| Nerve Supply | Long Thoracic Nerve |
| Arterial Supply | Superior and Lateral Thoracic Arteries, Thoracodorsal Artery |
| Role in Respiration | Acts as an accessory inspiratory muscle, supporting breathing |
| Weakness | Can lead to scapular winging and shoulder pain |
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What You'll Learn
The serratus anterior is the boxer's muscle
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. Its main function is to help the movement of the scapula, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles. It is also a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement.
The serratus anterior is commonly referred to 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. It is key for boxers to work on their fitness and their serratus anterior, as failing to do so could result in serious back and shoulder pain.
The serratus anterior muscle is critical in healthy shoulder function. It helps stabilise and move your arm forward and overhead when reaching. It also helps with upward rotation and protraction of the shoulder blade. The muscle is divided into three parts: the upper, middle, and lower. The lower part is the most powerful and prominent.
The serratus anterior also plays a role in respiration. When the shoulder blade is in a fixed position, the accessory inspiratory muscles are activated, such as after a boxing bout or in individuals with emphysema. The serratus anterior lifts the rib cage and supports breathing.
To strengthen the serratus anterior, exercises such as push-ups, dumbbell raises, and wall push-ups can be performed. These exercises can help build chest and shoulder muscles, which are important for boxers.
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It is a fan-shaped muscle
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 also referred to as the "boxer's muscle" because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula, which occurs when throwing a punch. The muscle is divided into three parts: the upper/superior, middle/intermedius, and lower/inferior. Its main function is to help the movement of the scapula, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles.
The serratus anterior muscle is critical in healthy shoulder function. It helps stabilise and move your arm forward and overhead when reaching. It also assists with upward rotation and protraction of the shoulder blade. When the serratus anterior is inhibited, lengthened, or weakened, scapular protraction and upward rotation are impaired, which can lead to a condition called scapular winging. This occurs when other muscles have to compensate for the lack of strength and mobility in the serratus anterior.
The serratus anterior is also an accessory inspiratory muscle, used in respiratory distress. It lifts the rib cage and supports breathing. It is vulnerable during certain types of surgery, such as lymph node clearance from the axilla for breast cancer. Damage to the long thoracic nerve that supplies the serratus anterior muscle is the most common cause of winged scapula.
The serratus anterior muscle is further divided into three parts according to its points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior, serratus anterior intermediate, and serratus anterior inferior. These parts pull the scapula forward around the thorax, which is essential for the anteversion of the arm. When the inferior and superior parts act together, they keep the scapula pressed against the thorax.
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It originates from ribs 1-8 or 9
The serratus anterior muscle, commonly known as the "boxer's muscle", originates from ribs 1 to 8 or 9. It is a fan-shaped muscle located at the lateral wall of the thorax, with its main part deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. The serratus anterior is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage 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, serratus anterior intermediate, and serratus anterior inferior. The superior part originates from the first and second ribs and inserts at the superior angle of the scapula. The intermediate part originates from the second and third ribs and inserts at the medial border of the scapula. The inferior part, which is the most prominent and powerful, originates from the fourth to the eighth or ninth rib and inserts at the medial border and inferior angle of the scapula.
The serratus anterior muscle is critical for healthy shoulder function. It helps stabilise and move the arm forward and overhead when reaching. It also assists with upward rotation and protraction of the shoulder blade, which is essential for anteversion of the arm. This muscle is particularly important in boxing, as it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula that occurs when throwing a punch.
The serratus anterior also has a role in respiration. It lifts the rib cage and supports breathing, especially during respiratory distress. When the serratus anterior becomes inhibited, lengthened, or weakened, scapular protraction and upward rotation may be impaired, leading to a condition called scapular winging. This condition occurs when other muscles have to compensate for the lack of strength and mobility in the serratus anterior.
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It is responsible for protraction of the scapula
The serratus anterior, commonly known as the boxer's muscle, 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. Its main part lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. The serratus anterior muscle is critical for healthy shoulder function, as it helps stabilise and move the arm forward and overhead when reaching.
The serratus anterior is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula, which is the pulling of the scapula forward and around the rib cage. This movement occurs when someone throws a punch, making it especially important for boxers. The muscle acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, allowing for overhead lifting.
The serratus anterior is divided into three parts according to the points of insertion: the serratus anterior superior, intermediate, and inferior. The superior part is inserted near the superior angle of the scapula, the intermediate part along the medial border, and the inferior part near the inferior angle. The inferior part of the muscle is the most prominent and powerful.
The protraction of the scapula is an essential movement for anteversion of the arm. When the inferior and superior parts of the muscle act together, they keep the scapula pressed against the thorax. This function is key in boxing and for the punching ability of boxers. If a person's serratus anterior is weak, they could suffer from a condition called scapular winging, where other muscles have to compensate for the lack of strength and mobility.
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It is critical for healthy shoulder function
The serratus anterior, commonly known as the "boxer's muscle", is critical for healthy shoulder function. It 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. Its main function is to help the movement of the scapula, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles.
The serratus anterior is responsible for pulling the scapula forward and around the rib cage, which occurs when throwing a punch. It acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula, allowing for overhead lifting. This muscle is also a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement. When the serratus anterior is inhibited, lengthened, or weakened, scapular protraction and upward rotation are impaired, which can lead to a condition called scapular winging.
The serratus anterior is also involved in respiration as an accessory inspiratory muscle. When the shoulder blade is in a fixed position, it lifts the rib cage and supports breathing. This is particularly important in activities like boxing, where breathing is laboured after a bout.
The muscle is divided into three parts: the upper/superior, middle/intermedius, and lower/inferior. The lower/inferior part is the most prominent and powerful, inserting near the inferior angle of the scapula.
A strong serratus anterior is critical for athletes, especially those who lift weights or dance, as it enables the shoulder to move efficiently. Weakness in this muscle can lead to serious back and shoulder pain.
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Frequently asked questions
The boxer's muscle is the common name for the serratus anterior muscle. It is a fan-shaped muscle that originates on the superolateral surfaces of ribs 1 to 8 or 9.
The serratus anterior muscle is critical for healthy shoulder function, including rotation, flexion, and protraction of the shoulder muscles. 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 throwing a punch.
Exercises such as push-ups, dumbbell raises, and chest presses can help build the serratus anterior muscle.
