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Elsevier
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Lateral Pectoral Nerve
Nervous System

Lateral Pectoral Nerve

Nervus pectoralis lateralis

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Quick Facts

Origin: Lateral cord of the brachial plexus.

Course: It runs anteriorly just superior and medial to the pectoralis minor muscle and pierces the pectoralis major muscle.

Branches: Ansa pectoralis.

Supply: Motor innervation. It supplies the pectoralis major and minor muscles.

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Origin

The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. It contains fibers from spinal cord segments C5, C6, and C7.

Course

The lateral pectoral nerve emerges from the lateral cord. It passes anteriorly along the thoracoacromial artery and between the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles. Staying superior and medial to the pectoralis minor muscle, it penetrates the clavipectoral fascia to innervate the deep surface of the pectoralis major muscle.

Branches

Just distal to its origin, the lateral pectoral nerve typically sends a communicating branch to the medial pectoral nerve called the ansa pectoralis. Subsequently, the lateral pectoral nerve does not branch prior to its termination in the pectoralis major muscle.

Supplied Structures

The lateral pectoral nerve is a motor nerve that supplies the pectoralis major muscle. Additionally, the lateral pectoral nerve innervates the pectoralis minor muscle via the ansa pectoralis.

Complete Anatomy

The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform

Complete Anatomy