Lateral pectoral nerve
The lateral pectoral nerve, also known as the lateral anterior thoracic nerve, arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus and supplies the pectoralis major muscle.
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Gross anatomy
Origin
The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus with fibers from the fifth, sixth and seventh cervical nerves.
Course and relations
Shortly after branching from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus the lateral pectoral nerve may donate a communicating branch to the medial pectoral nerve (as shown in figure 1) forming a loop known as the ansa pectoralis, which itself branches from the medial cord of the brachial plexus. The nerve then passes inferiorly piercing the clavicopectoral fascia to pierce the deep surface of the pectoralis muscles. The ansa pectoralis runs anteriorly to the axillary artery and vein.
Branches and supply
The lateral pectoral nerve primarily supplies the pectoralis major muscle. Due to a communicating branch to the medial pectoral nerve some lateral pectoral nerve fibers pass to and innervate the pectoralis minor.
The lateral pectoral nerve also carries nociceptive and proprioceptive fibers.
Variant anatomy
The lateral pectoral may have two distinct origins from the anterior divisions of the superior and middle trunks.
Related pathology
Selected pectoral nerve blocks can be performed either intraoperatively or preoperatively with the aid of ultrasonography and may be utilized in patients prior to breast surgery, pectoralis muscle flaps and clavicular surgery.
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Upper limb
-
skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- carpal bones (mnemonic)
- metacarpals
- phalanges
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
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shoulder joint
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- joint capsule
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bursae
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movements
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- arm flexion
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- circumduction
- blood supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
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elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
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- blood supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
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wrist joint
- articulations
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ligaments
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- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
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- alignment
- ossification
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hand joints
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metacarpophalangeal joint
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interphalangeal joint
- palmar ligament (plate)
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- movements
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shoulder joint
- spaces of the upper limb
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arteries
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arteries
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- intercostobrachial nerve
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brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
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- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb
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