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A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four?

A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four?
A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four?
The serratus anterior is portrayed as a homogeneous muscle in textbooks and during functional activities and rehabilitation exercises. It is unclear whether the serratus anterior is composed of subdivisions with distinctive morphology and functions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the serratus anterior could be subdivided into different structural parts on the basis of its segmental architectural parameters. Eight formalin-embalmed serratus anterior muscles were dissected and the attachments of each fascicle documented. Orientation and size of each fascicle were measured and the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) calculated. Three subdivisions of the serratus anterior were identified. A new finding was the discovery of two distinctive fascicles attached to the superior and inferior aspects of rib 2. The rib 2 inferior fascicle had the largest PCSA (mean 1.6 cm2) and attached, with the rib 3 fascicle, along the medial border of the scapula to form the middle division. The rib 2 superior and rib 1 fascicles attached to the superior angle of the scapula (upper division). Fascicles from ribs 4–8/9 attached to the inferior angle of the scapula (lower division). Mean fascicle angle relative to a vertical midline reference and PCSA for each division were 29° and 1.3 cm2 (upper), 90° and 2.2 cm2 (middle) and 59° and 3.0 cm2 (lower). This novel study demonstrated the presence of morphologically distinct serratus anterior subdivisions. The results of this study will inform the development of optimal techniques for the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of this architecturally complex muscle in shoulder and neck pain.
1447-6959
1-10
Webb, Alexandra
9618983d-c2dd-4a04-9890-4abf615f0221
O'sullivan, Elizabeth
400be0c4-e2b2-49d4-a7f6-fc3d20cd224b
Stokes, Maria
71730503-70ce-4e67-b7ea-a3e54579717f
Mottram, Sarah
1d5657d1-cb55-4fc8-9d11-986f551d4ef6
Webb, Alexandra
9618983d-c2dd-4a04-9890-4abf615f0221
O'sullivan, Elizabeth
400be0c4-e2b2-49d4-a7f6-fc3d20cd224b
Stokes, Maria
71730503-70ce-4e67-b7ea-a3e54579717f
Mottram, Sarah
1d5657d1-cb55-4fc8-9d11-986f551d4ef6

Webb, Alexandra, O'sullivan, Elizabeth, Stokes, Maria and Mottram, Sarah (2016) A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four? Anatomical Science International, 1-10. (doi:10.1007/s12565-016-0379-1). (PMID:27757809)

Record type: Article

Abstract

The serratus anterior is portrayed as a homogeneous muscle in textbooks and during functional activities and rehabilitation exercises. It is unclear whether the serratus anterior is composed of subdivisions with distinctive morphology and functions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the serratus anterior could be subdivided into different structural parts on the basis of its segmental architectural parameters. Eight formalin-embalmed serratus anterior muscles were dissected and the attachments of each fascicle documented. Orientation and size of each fascicle were measured and the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) calculated. Three subdivisions of the serratus anterior were identified. A new finding was the discovery of two distinctive fascicles attached to the superior and inferior aspects of rib 2. The rib 2 inferior fascicle had the largest PCSA (mean 1.6 cm2) and attached, with the rib 3 fascicle, along the medial border of the scapula to form the middle division. The rib 2 superior and rib 1 fascicles attached to the superior angle of the scapula (upper division). Fascicles from ribs 4–8/9 attached to the inferior angle of the scapula (lower division). Mean fascicle angle relative to a vertical midline reference and PCSA for each division were 29° and 1.3 cm2 (upper), 90° and 2.2 cm2 (middle) and 59° and 3.0 cm2 (lower). This novel study demonstrated the presence of morphologically distinct serratus anterior subdivisions. The results of this study will inform the development of optimal techniques for the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of this architecturally complex muscle in shoulder and neck pain.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 11 October 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 18 October 2016
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 401887
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/401887
ISSN: 1447-6959
PURE UUID: 37378cbe-8643-4607-9d5c-fe1ad5624cae
ORCID for Maria Stokes: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4204-0890

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Date deposited: 24 Oct 2016 15:03
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:00

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Contributors

Author: Alexandra Webb
Author: Elizabeth O'sullivan
Author: Maria Stokes ORCID iD
Author: Sarah Mottram

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