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Serratus posterior superior
Other Terms:
Superior serratus posterior,
Musculus serratus posterior superior,
Muscle dentelé postérieur supérieur
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus serratus posterior superior
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Thoracic wall – lateral musculature – supracostal or outermost layer
Etymology
In English, this muscle's name is the upper, back saw-like muscle. The term serratus comes from the Latin term serra meaning “saw.” This reference to a saw arises from the jagged anterior border of the muscle, which looks like the cutting-teeth of a saw.The Latin term posterior is derived from the Latin post meaning “afterwards.”The Latin term superior is derived from the Latin super meaning “above.”
Origin
Spinous processes of 7th cervical to first thoracic vertebrae
Insertion
Upper borders of 2nd to 5th ribs lateral to their angles
Action
Elevates ribs, but appears to be inactive during respiration.
Nerve supply
Intercostal nerves (T2 through T5)
Blood supply
Perforating branches of the posterior intercostal arteries from the aorta and the dorsal scapular artery.
Latin
Musculus serratus posterior superior
French
Muscle dentelé postérieur supérieur