Serratus posterior superior muscle
Thin back muscle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The serratus posterior superior muscle (or musculus serratus dorsalis cranialis) is a thin, quadrilateral muscle. It is situated at the upper back part of the thorax, deep to the rhomboid muscles.
OriginNuchal ligament (or ligamentum nuchae) and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7 through T3
InsertionThe upper borders of the 2nd through 5th ribs
Nerve2nd through 5th intercostal nerves
| Serratus posterior superior muscle | |
|---|---|
Deep, posterior muscles of the neck. Right-sided serratus posterior superior is labeled 5. Left-sided serratus posterior superior is not depicted. (After Testut's Anatomy.) | |
 Thin film-like object, at center, is serratus posterior superior muscle. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Nuchal ligament (or ligamentum nuchae) and the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7 through T3 |
| Insertion | The upper borders of the 2nd through 5th ribs |
| Artery | Intercostal arteries |
| Nerve | 2nd through 5th intercostal nerves |
| Actions | Elevates ribs 2-5 [1] |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus serratus posterior superior or musculus serratus dorsalis cranialis |
| TA98 | A04.3.01.011 |
| TA2 | 2236 |
| FMA | 13401 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
The serratus posterior superior muscle arises by an aponeurosis from the lower part of the nuchal ligament, from the spinous processes of C7, T1, T2 and T3, and from the supraspinal ligament.[2] It is inserted, by four fleshy digitations into the upper borders of the second, third, fourth, and fifth ribs past the angle of the rib.[2]
Function
The serratus posterior superior muscle elevates the second to fifth ribs.[citation needed] This aids deep respiration.[citation needed]
Additional images
Position of serratus posterior superior muscle (shown in red).
Serratus posterior superior muscles are labeled at center left and center right.
