Logan Steele
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. It allows for the full function of the shoulder joint, which is one of the most mobile and versatile joints in the human body. The scapula can move in six directions, and each movement is produced by specific primary muscles. The serratus anterior, pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor muscles are responsible for protraction, or pulling the scapula forward and around the thorax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles that protract the scapula | Serratus Anterior, Pectoralis Major, and Pectoralis Minor |
| Serratus Anterior Muscle Origin | Side of the chest from the upper 8 or 9 ribs |
| Muscle Insertion | Along the entire length of the anterior aspect of the medial border of the scapula |
| Innervation | Long Thoracic Nerve from the Brachial Plexus |
| Actions | Pulls the scapula forward around the thorax, scapular protraction, scapular upward rotation, and stabilisation |
| Common Causes of Serratus Anterior Muscle Pain | Tension, Stress, Overuse, and Serratus Anterior Myofascial Pain Syndrome |
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What You'll Learn
- The serratus anterior muscle pulls the scapula forward and is the prime mover in scapular protraction
- The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles also contribute to protraction
- The serratus anterior muscle is also known as the boxer's muscle
- The serratus anterior acts in concert with the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula
- The serratus anterior is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage
The serratus anterior muscle pulls the scapula forward and is the prime mover in scapular protraction
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. It connects the clavicle to the humerus, forming the posterior of the shoulder girdle. The scapula can move in six directions, and each movement is produced by specific primary muscles.
The serratus anterior is a muscle of the chest that acts to pull the scapula forward and around the thorax. It is named from the Latin "serrare", meaning "to saw", and "anterior", meaning "on the front side of the body". This muscle originates at the side of the chest from the upper eight or nine ribs and inserts along the entire length of the anterior aspect of the medial border of the scapula. It is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the rib cage at rest and during movement.
The serratus anterior is the prime mover in scapular protraction and is also responsible for scapular upward rotation. It acts in concert with the upper and lower fibres of the trapezius muscle to enable overhead lifting. The serratus anterior is occasionally called the "big swing muscle" or the "boxer's muscle" because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula that occurs when throwing a punch.
The serratus anterior is vulnerable to injury 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. Weakness of the serratus anterior impairs scapular protraction and upward rotation, limiting the overhead range of motion and reducing overall scapular/shoulder stability.
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The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles also contribute to protraction
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. It is the bone that connects the clavicle to the humerus, forming the shoulder joint. The scapula can move in six directions, each produced by specific primary muscles.
The pectoralis minor is a muscle of the upper chest and is one of the most superficial muscles on the anterior aspect of the chest or thoracic wall. It is located deep to the pectoralis major muscle. The pectoralis minor muscle arises as three separate heads from the anterior surface of the third, fourth, and fifth ribs, near the corresponding costal cartilages. The pectoralis minor muscle is innervated by the medial pectoral nerve and the lateral pectoral nerve.
The pectoralis minor muscle is involved in protraction, or the movement of the scapula laterally and anteriorly against the ribcage. This movement is important in reaching the arm forward. The pectoralis minor acts in protraction of the scapula by pulling it forward and inferiorly. This muscle also plays a role in stabilising the scapula, as well as scapula depression, and scapula elevation of ribs.
The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles work together with the serratus anterior muscle to create a full range of movement for the scapula. The pectoralis minor muscle is also involved in respiration, assisting with inspiration (breathing in) by elevating the ribs for deep inspiration.
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The serratus anterior muscle is also known as the boxer's muscle
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. It creates the shoulder joint where it meets with the head of the humerus, the bone of the upper arm. The scapula can move in six directions, each produced by specific, primary muscles.
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 part lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. It acts on the scapula and is the prime mover in both scapular protraction and scapular upward rotation. It is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage when at rest and during movement.
The serratus anterior is also known as the "boxer's muscle" because it is largely responsible for the protraction of the scapula, which occurs when throwing a punch. The muscle pulls the scapula forward and around the rib cage, allowing for anteversion and protraction of the arm. This action is also important in breathing after a boxing bout, when the accessory inspiratory muscles are activated.
The serratus anterior is a thin muscle that covers the side of the ribcage. It is easily palpated between the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles. It is innervated by the long thoracic nerve from the brachial plexus. Injury to this nerve can result in atrophy of the serratus anterior and subsequent winging of the scapula.
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The serratus anterior acts in concert with the trapezius muscle to sustain upward rotation of the scapula
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. It connects the clavicle to the humerus and forms the posterior of the shoulder girdle. The scapula can move in six directions, with each movement produced by specific primary muscles.
The serratus anterior is a muscle of the chest, originating from the upper eight or nine ribs. It wraps around the rib cage, passing beneath the scapula to insert on the underside of the scapula's medial border. Its main function is scapular protraction, or pulling the scapula forward and around the rib cage. This movement is essential in actions such as throwing a punch.
The serratus anterior also plays a crucial role in scapular upward rotation, which is required for overhead arm movement. This upward rotation is achieved in conjunction with the trapezius muscle. The trapezius, along with the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles, is responsible for scapular elevation, while retraction is accomplished by the actions of the trapezius, rhomboids, and latissimus dorsi muscles.
The serratus anterior is sometimes referred to as the "boxer's muscle" due to its importance in scapular protraction during actions like throwing a punch. It is also a key stabiliser of the scapula, ensuring that the shoulder blades remain against the rib cage during rest and movement.
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The serratus anterior is a key scapular stabiliser, keeping the shoulder blades against the ribcage
The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a sturdy, flat, triangular bone that sits above the rib cage in the upper back. The scapula forms the posterior of the shoulder girdle, creating the shoulder joint where it meets the head of the humerus, the bone of the upper arm. The scapula can move in six directions, each produced by specific primary muscles.
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 part lies deep under the scapula and the pectoral muscles. The serratus anterior is the prime mover in scapular protraction and scapular upward rotation.
The serratus anterior also assists in scapular depression, lowering the scapula on the rib cage. In addition, it elevates the thorax, lifting the rib cage during forced inhalation.
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Frequently asked questions
The serratus anterior is the muscle that protracts the scapula. It is also known as the "boxer's muscle" because it is responsible for the protraction of the scapula that occurs when throwing a punch.
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 key scapular stabilizer, keeping the shoulder blades against the rib cage when at rest and during movement.
When the serratus anterior is inhibited, lengthened, or weakened, scapular protraction and scapular upward rotation are impaired. This limits overhead range of motion and reduces overall scapular/shoulder stability, increasing the risk of injury to the rotator cuff and shoulder girdle.
