Lower subscapular nerve

From WikiMD's WELLNESSPEDIA

Lower subscapular nerve

The Lower subscapular nerve is a nerve in the human body that supplies the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle. It is a branch of the brachial plexus.

Etymology[edit]

The term "subscapular" comes from Latin "sub" meaning under and "scapula" meaning shoulder blade. The term "nerve" comes from Latin "nervus" meaning sinew or tendon.

Anatomy[edit]

The lower subscapular nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It carries fibers from the C5 and C6 roots. It is a motor nerve which supplies the lower part of the subscapularis muscle and the teres major muscle.

Function[edit]

The lower subscapular nerve controls the contraction of the subscapularis and teres major muscles. These muscles are involved in the internal rotation of the shoulder joint.

Clinical significance[edit]

Damage to the lower subscapular nerve can result in weakness in the internal rotation of the shoulder joint and difficulty in adducting the arm.

See also[edit]

References[edit]