Lower subscapular nerve
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The lower subscapular nerve, also known as the inferior subscapular nerve,[1] 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.
| Lower subscapular nerve | |
|---|---|
Diagram of brachial plexus (label for lower subscapular nerve at bottom center) | |
| Details | |
| From | Posterior cord |
| Innervates | Subscapularis and teres major muscle |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus subscapularis inferior |
| TA2 | 6429 |
| FMA | 65307 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Structure
The lower subscapular nerve contains axons from the ventral rami of the C5 and C6 cervical spinal nerves.[2][3] It is the third branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.[4][5] It gives branches to 2 muscles:
- subscapularis muscle.[2] It usually gives 4 branches to innervate the subscapularis, and can give up to 8 branches.[1]
- teres major muscle.[2][3]
Function
The lower subscapular nerve innervates the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle.[2] These muscles medially rotate and adduct the humerus.[3]
Additional images
Brachial plexus
The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front.
Brachial plexus with courses of spinal nerves shown
