Medial Pectoral Nerve

The medial pectoral nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that originates from the spinal cord in the neck and innervates the upper limb.

Along with the lateral pectoral nerve, it is one of the pectoral nerves that supply the muscles in the chest area. Particular muscles in the chest and shoulder region receive motor innervation from the medial pectoral nerve.

Medial Pectoral Nerve Anatomy:

The medial pectoral nerve is also known as the medial anterior thoracic nerve.
Branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and derived from spinal nerve roots C8-T1.
It provides motor innervation to the pectoralis minor muscle and pectoralis major muscle.
It runs down the inferior border of the pectoralis minor muscle.

Origin

The medial pectoral nerve arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus it can however occasionally arise directly from the anterior division of the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus.
It’s awake from the eighth cervical (C8) and first thoracic (T1) spinal nerve roots.

Course and relations

the medial pectoral nerve encompassing behind the first part of the axillary artery turned forward in the middle of the axillary artery and vein, and connect in front of the artery with a filament from the lateral nerve. then enters the deep surface of the pectoralis minor muscle, it’s divided into several branches.

Function:

The pectoralis major muscle consists of the clavicular part and the sternal part. The sternal portion receives innervation from the medial pectoral nerve, which functions to extend the arm at the shoulder from the bent position.

Clinical Significance

Medial Pectoral Nerve Injury

Direct trauma to the axillary region frequently results in injury to the medial pectoral nerve. Furthermore, it is prone to iatrogenic injury during surgeries in this area (such as axillary node dissection and breast surgery). The degree of nerve damage affects the clinical presentation.

The most common complaints from patients are pain in the chest wall or difficulty elevating the shoulder. Electrodiagnostic testing procedures and imaging techniques like MRI are the best ways to make a diagnosis. The usual forms of treatment are conservative or surgical.

When repairing a damaged brachial plexus or axillary nerve, the medial pectoral nerve may be used as a donor nerve.

Summary

Overall, the pectoralis major and minor muscles receive motor innervation from the medial pectoral nerve, a key upper limb nerve that supports movement and stability in the chest and shoulder region.

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