Lower subscapular nerve

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 2 Aug 2021

The lower subscapular nerve, also known as the inferior subscapular nerve, arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and supplies the subscapularis muscle and contributes fibers to the teres major muscle.

Gross anatomy

Origin

The lower subscapular nerve branches from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus with fibers arising from the fifth and sixth cervical nerves. The lower subscapular nerve branches distal to the origin of the thoracodorsal nerve.

Course

The lower subscapular nerve travels inferiorly from the brachial plexus to supply the lower part of the subscapularis muscle. It donates a branch to the teres major muscle which courses in the angle between the subscapular and circumflex scapular arteries.

Supply

It supplies the subscapularis muscle and contributes fibers to teres major.

Relations

The lower subscapular nerve is the larger of the subscapular nerves. 

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