What nerve innervates the serratus anterior muscle?

The serratus anterior muscle is primarily responsible for the protraction and stabilization of the scapula against the thoracic wall, which is crucial for movements involving the shoulder and arm. The innervation of this muscle comes from the long thoracic nerve, which is a branch of the brachial plexus originating from the fifth, sixth, and seventh cervical roots (C5, C6, and C7).

This nerve travels down the lateral chest wall, running directly along the surface of the serratus anterior, and provides the necessary motor function to facilitate the muscle's action. Damage to the long thoracic nerve can lead to “winging” of the scapula due to the inability of the serratus anterior to hold the scapula against the thorax, demonstrating the clinical significance of this nerve.

Other nerves mentioned, such as the suprascapular, dorsal scapular, and thoracodorsal nerves, innervate different muscles. The suprascapular nerve primarily innervates the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, while the dorsal scapular nerve innervates the rhomboids and levator scapulae. The thoracodorsal nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi. Understanding