Long thoracic nerve 293775 218208274 2008-06-09T17:19:31Z KC Panchal 3449833 provided Wiktionary linking for digitation {{Infobox Nerve | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = nervus thoracicus longus | GraySubject = 210 | GrayPage = 933 | Image = Nerves of the left upper extremity.gif | Caption = Nerves of the left upper extremity. (Long thoracic labeled vertically at shoulder, to left of artery.) | Image2 = Gray808.png | Caption2 = The right [[brachial plexus]] with its short branches, viewed from in front. (Long thoracic labeled at center, third from top.) | Innervates = [[serratus anterior muscle]] | BranchFrom = [[brachial plexus]] (C5-C7) | BranchTo = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = n_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12566912 | }} The '''long thoracic nerve''' ('''external respiratory nerve of Bell'''; '''posterior thoracic nerve''') supplies the [[Serratus anterior]]. This nerve characteristically arises by three roots from the fifth, sixth, and seventh [[cervical nerves]] (C5-C7) but the root from C7 may be absent. The roots from C5 and C6 pierce the [[Scalenus medius]], while the C7 root passes in front of the muscle. The nerve descends behind the [[brachial plexus]] and the axillary vessels, resting on the outer surface of the [[Serratus anterior]]. It extends along the side of the thorax to the lower border of that [[muscle]], supplying filaments to each of its [[Wiktionary: Digitate| digitations]] (finger-like projections). == Damage == Due to its long, relatively superficial course, it is susceptible to injury either through direct trauma or stretch. Injury has been reported in almost all [[sports]], typically occurring from a blow to the ribs underneath an outstretched arm. Surgically the long thoracic nerve can also be damaged during surgery for [[breast cancer]], specifically [[mastectomy|radical mastectomies]] that involve removal of [[axillary lymph nodes]]. Injuries to the nerve can result from carrying heavy bags over the shoulder for a prolonged time. There are also reports of isolated damage to this nerve as a variant of [[Parsonage Turner Syndrome]], an [[autoimmune]] disease. Symptoms are often minimal – if symptomatic, a posterior shoulder or scapular burning type of pain may be reported. A lesion of the nerve paralyses the [[serratus anterior]] to produce [[scapula winging]], which is most prominent when the arm is lifted forward or when the patient pushes the outstretched arm against a wall. However, even winging may not be evident until the [[trapezius]] stretches enough to reveal an injury several weeks prior. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray809.png|The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front. Image:Brachial plexus.svg|Brachial plexus </gallery> ==External links== * {{DukeOrtho|long_thoracic_nerve}} * {{WhoNamedIt|synd|2384}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|long+thoracic+nerve}} * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|05|03|07}} - "The major subdivisions and terminal nerves of the [[brachial plexus]]." {{neuroscience-stub}} {{Brachial plexus}} [[Category:Peripheral nervous system]] [[Category:Back anatomy]] [[de:Nervus thoracicus longus]] [[fr:Nerf thoracique long]] [[id:Nervus thoracicus longus]] [[pl:Nerw piersiowy długi]] [[sv:Nervus thoracicus longus]]