Medial pectoral nerve

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Medial pectoral nerve
Nerves of the left upper extremity.gif
Nerves of the left upper extremity. (Medial anterior thoracic visible in upper right.)
Details
From medial cord
Innervates pectoralis minor, pectoralis major
Identifiers
Latin nervus pectoralis medialis
TA98 A14.2.03.017
TA2 6444
FMA 65293
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The medial pectoral nerve (also known as the medial anterior thoracic nerve) is (typically) a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and is derived from spinal nerve roots C8-T1. It provides motor innervation to the pectoralis minor muscle, and the lower half (sternal part) of the pectoralis major muscle. It runs along the inferior border of the pectoralis minor muscle. [1]

Contents

Damage to the medial pectoral nerve can result in inability to elevate the shoulder. [1]

Anatomy

Origin

The medial pectoral nerve usually arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus; it can however occasionally arise directly from the anterior division of the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus. [1] [2] It is derived from the eighth cervical (C8) and first thoracic (T1) spinal nerve roots. [1]

The origin is situated posterior to the axillary artery. [1]

Course and relations

It passes behind the first part of the axillary artery, curves forward between the axillary artery and vein, and unites in front of the artery with a filament from the lateral nerve.

It then enters the deep surface of the pectoralis minor muscle, where it divides into a number of branches, which supply the muscle.

Two or three branches pierce the muscle and end in the sternocostal head of the pectoralis major muscle. The medial pectoral nerve pierces both the pectoralis minor and the sternocostal head of the pectoralis major. The lateral pectoral nerve pierces only the clavicular head of the pectoralis major.

Clinical relevance

The medial pectoral nerve can be used as a donor nerve when reconstructing a damaged brachial plexus, [3] or axillary nerve. [4]

See also

Additional images

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Median nerve</span> Nerve of the upper limb

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axillary nerve</span> Nerve of the human body near the armpit

The axillary nerve or the circumflex nerve is a nerve of the human body, that originates from the brachial plexus at the level of the axilla (armpit) and carries nerve fibers from C5 and C6. The axillary nerve travels through the quadrangular space with the posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein to innervate the deltoid and teres minor.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long thoracic nerve</span> Large nerve

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sternocleidomastoid muscle</span> Cervical muscle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pectoralis major</span> Main human chest muscle

The pectoralis major is a thick, fan-shaped or triangular convergent muscle of the human chest. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles and lies under the breast. Beneath the pectoralis major is the pectoralis minor muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical plexus</span>

The cervical plexus is a plexus of the anterior rami of the first four cervical spinal nerves which arise from C1 to C4 cervical segment in the neck. They are located laterally to the transverse processes between prevertebral muscles from the medial side and vertebral from lateral side. There is anastomosis with accessory nerve, hypoglossal nerve and sympathetic trunk. It is located in the neck, deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Nerves formed from the cervical plexus innervate the back of the head, as well as some neck muscles. The branches of the cervical plexus emerge from the posterior triangle at the nerve point, a point which lies midway on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epineurium</span> Outermost layer of a nerve

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The medial cord is the part of the brachial plexus formed by of the anterior division of the lower trunk (C8-T1). Its name comes from it being medial to the axillary artery as it passes through the axilla. The other cords of the brachial plexus are the posterior cord and lateral cord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoracodorsal nerve</span>

The thoracodorsal nerve is a nerve present in humans and other animals, also known as the middle subscapular nerve or the long subscapular nerve. It supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh</span> Sensory nerve that supplies the back of the thigh, leg, buttock, and perineum

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliohypogastric nerve</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower subscapular nerve</span>

The lower subscapular nerve, also known as the inferior subscapular nerve, is the third branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It innervates the inferior portion of the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral pectoral nerve</span>

The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the C5-7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicipital aponeurosis</span>

The bicipital aponeurosis is a broad aponeurosis of the biceps brachii, which is located in the cubital fossa of the elbow. It separates superficial from deep structures in much of the fossa.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 933 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Maldonado, Kenia A.; Tadi, Prasanna (2022), "Anatomy, Thorax, Medial Pectoral Nerves", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   32310519 , retrieved 2023-01-13
  2. Baur, Dale A.; Horan, Michael P.; Rodriguez, Juan C. (2012-01-01), Bagheri, Shahrokh C.; Bell, R. Bryan; Khan, Husain Ali (eds.), "Chapter 68 - The Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap", Current Therapy In Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 566–572, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-2527-6.00068-2, ISBN   978-1-4160-2527-6 , retrieved 2020-10-19
  3. Watson, Caroline C. (2015-01-01), Tubbs, R. Shane; Rizk, Elias; Shoja, Mohammadali M.; Loukas, Marios (eds.), "Chapter 39 - Anatomy of the Medial Cord and Its Branches", Nerves and Nerve Injuries, San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 537–545, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-410390-0.00041-x, ISBN   978-0-12-410390-0 , retrieved 2020-10-19
  4. Moore, Amy M.; Phillips, Benjamin Z.; Mackinnon, Susan E. (2015-01-01), Tubbs, R. Shane; Rizk, Elias; Shoja, Mohammadali M.; Loukas, Marios (eds.), "Chapter 19 - Nerve Transfers to Improve Upper Extremity Function", Nerves and Nerve Injuries, San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 275–306, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-802653-3.00068-3, ISBN   978-0-12-802653-3 , retrieved 2020-10-19