Muscles+of+the+Anterior+thorax

**__Muscles of the Anterior Thorax__**

 * Most of the superficial muscles run from the ribs or [|vertebral column] to the girdle of the shoulders. They help increase the range of movements in the arms and they help fix the scapula to the wall of the thorax. The muscles of the anterior thorax include: Serratus anterior, Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor and the Subclavius. All of these muscles make an in[[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/426056035_ced411a50b.jpg align="right" caption="provided by flickr.com"]]sertion into the [|pectoral girdle]except for the Pectoralis major, which makes its insertion in the [|humerus]. Movement of the pectoral girdle are very important. It involves the displacement of the [|scapula] ( elevation, depression, rotation, lateral and medial movements). All of the muscles of the anterior thorax, except for the Serratus anterior, stabilize and support the shoulder girdle. Most of the movements of the scapula require several muscles to act in combination with each other, primarily because one single muscle can bring about action on its own.

The [|Pectoralis minor] is a thin, flat muscle that lies directly beneath the pectoralis major. Its origin is the anterior surfaces of the ribs 3 through 5. It makes an insertion at the coracoid process of the scapula. The action of the pectoralis minor is to bring the scapula forward and downward. It also draws the rib cage superiorly.

The [|Serratus anterior] is a fan-shaped muscle that lies deep within the scapula. It is inferior to and beneath the pectoral muscles of the lateral side of the rib cage. The origin of the Serratus anterior is in a series of muscle slips in the ribs 1-8. The insertion is located in the entire anterior surface in the scapula of the vertebral border. Primarily it moves, protracts and holds the scapula against the chest wall. Also it helps rotate the inferior angle laterally and upw****ard. It is als****o important in the [|abduction] of the arm and the raising of it horizontally.**


 * [[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/54315476_db48d34ed1.jpg width="405" height="240" align="right" caption="provided by flickr.com"]]The [|pectoralis major] is described as a large, fan-shaped muscle that covers the majority of the upper portion of the chest. It forms an anterior axillary fold and is divided into clavicular and sternal sections. The origin of the pectoralis major is the sternal end of the clavicle and the cartilage of the ribs. The insertion is located in the greater tubercle of the humerus by fibers that converge to insert by a short tendon. Its prime action is arm flexion. It also rotates the arm medially and adducts arm against resistance. The pectoralis major gives us the ability to climb, throw and push.**