"Gross anatomy "
"Origin "
"The long thoracic nerve arises from the anterior rami of the fifth, sixth and seventh cervical nerves."
Expected headings
"Gross anatomy "
"Origin "
"Mnemonic"
"Course"
"The long thoracic nerve is a posterior branch from the C5, C6 and C7 roots of the brachial plexus, and supplies the serratus anterior muscle."
"The long thoracic nerve arises from the anterior rami of the fifth, sixth and seventh cervical nerves."
"The long thoracic nerve is susceptible to damage (causing backpack palsy) due to its long and superficial course either from direct trauma or stretching of the nerve. Damage to the nerve may also occur during surgical procedures including thoracoplasty, axillary nodal clearance, mastectomy and resection of the first rib. The risk of injury to the long thoracic nerve is far greater in patients following a radical mastectomy (with clearance of the axillary lymph nodes) compared with simple mastectomy."