Quick Facts
Origin: Lateral cord of the brachial plexus.
Course: It runs anteriorly just superior and medial to the pectoralis minor muscle and pierces the pectoralis major muscle.
Branches: Ansa pectoralis.
Supply: Motor innervation. It supplies the pectoralis major and minor muscles.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. It contains fibers from spinal cord segments C5, C6, and C7.
Course
The lateral pectoral nerve emerges from the lateral cord. It passes anteriorly along the thoracoacromial artery and between the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles. Staying superior and medial to the pectoralis minor muscle, it penetrates the clavipectoral fascia to innervate the deep surface of the pectoralis major muscle.
Branches
Just distal to its origin, the lateral pectoral nerve typically sends a communicating branch to the medial pectoral nerve called the ansa pectoralis. Subsequently, the lateral pectoral nerve does not branch prior to its termination in the pectoralis major muscle.
Supplied Structures
The lateral pectoral nerve is a motor nerve that supplies the pectoralis major muscle. Additionally, the lateral pectoral nerve innervates the pectoralis minor muscle via the ansa pectoralis.
