Medial pectoral nerve
Nerves of the left upper extremity. (Medial anterior thoracic visible in upper right.)
Details
Frommedial cord
Innervatespectoralis minor, pectoralis major
Identifiers
Latinnervus pectoralis medialis
TA98A14.2.03.017
TA26444
FMA65293
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]

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

References

Public domain This 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
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