Dorsal Scapular Nerve
| |
| Dorsal Scapular Nerve | |
|---|---|
| Nerve Type | Motor nerve |
| Origin | branch of anterior ramus of fifth cervical nerve (C5 root of the brachial plexus) |
| Course | Pierces scalenus medius, joins and runs with dorsal scapular artery, then runs down the medial scapular border deep to the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles and superficial to the serratus anterior. |
| Major Branches | No named branches |
| Motor innervation | Levator Scapulae, Rhomboid Minor, Rhomboid Major muscles |
The dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) is a motor nerve that primarily originates from the C5 nerve root of the brachial plexus. In some cases, it may also receive contributions from the C4 or C6 nerve roots.
Origin and Course
The dorsal scapula nerve is mostly derived from the C5 nerve root, being a proximal branch of this nerve. It pierces the middle scalene muscle and courses inferiorly and posteriorly between the scalenus posterior muscle, serratus posterior superior, and levator scapulae muscles. It travels with the dorsal scapula artery long the medial border of the scapula. It is often intertwined with the dorsal scapular artery.
Motor Distribution
It innervates Rhomboid Major, Rhomboid Minor, and Levator Scapulae in some research.
Sensory Distrubtion
It can innervate the medial periscapular region, with entrapment being a controversial cause for pain.
