Pectoralis minor muscle

The pectoralis minor ( Latin for " pectoralis minor ") is a skeletal muscle of man which is derived from the pectoralis major and of which he is completely covered. In quadrupedal mammals, the ratios of the two chest muscles are reversed: the superficially located pectoralis superficialis is significantly weaker formed as the underlying deep chest muscle ( pectoralis profundus ).

It has its origin at the 3rd to 5th rib, about 1 to 2 cm from the bone - cartilage interface and moves upward to the coracoid process ( coracoid process ).

Firstly, the muscle pulls the shoulder diagonally down the front, on the other hand it serves the Developing the arms as accessory respiratory muscle. It also prevents pushing of the shoulder girdle. The pectoralis minor is Innervated of the medial and lateral pectoral Nervi (C6 - C8 ) from the brachial plexus.

Clinic

The paralysis of the musculus pectoralis minor arms raised to the horizontal can not be crossed. It is also no longer possible to move the hand of the paralyzed side to the rear side of the other shoulder.

• Skeletal muscle of the trunk