ArticlesAnatomySpine and backBackSerratus posterior muscles

ArticlesAnatomySpine and backBackSerratus posterior muscles

Serratus posterior muscles

Author: Egle Pirie, BSc (Hons) • Reviewer: Roberto Grujičić, MD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 6 minutes

The serratus posterior muscles are two paired muscles located in the upper and lower back. They include:

The serratus posterior superior muscle
The serratus posterior inferior muscle

Together, these muscles comprise the intermediate layer of the extrinsic musculature of the back.
The serratus posterior muscles extend obliquely from the vertebral column to the rib cage. The main function of these muscles is to facilitate the act of respiration; the serratus posterior superior muscle elevates the ribs, while the serratus posterior inferior muscle depresses the ribs. These actions are particularly important in forced respiration.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the serratus posterior muscles.

Key facts about the serratus posterior muscles
Serratus posterior superior	Origin: Nuchal ligament, spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T3 Insertion: Superior borders of ribs 2-5 Innervation: 2nd-5th Intercostal nerves Function: Elevates ribs
Serratus posterior inferior	Origin: Spinous processes of vertebrae T11-L2 Insertion: Inferior borders of ribs 9-12 Innervation: Anterior rami of spinal nerves T9-T12 (a.k.a. 9th-11th Intercostal nerves + subcostal nerve) Function: Depresses ribs/ Draws ribs inferoposteriorly

Contents

Origin and insertion
Relations
Innervation
Blood supply
Function
Clinical relations
Sources

+ Show all

Origin and insertion

The serratus posterior muscles run from the spinous processes of vertebrae to the ribs, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the spinocostal muscles.

The serratus posterior superior muscle arises as a thin tendinous sheet from the nuchal ligament and spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T3, as well as the associated supraspinous ligaments. The muscle fibers extend inferolaterally towards the lateral aspect of the posterior thoracic cage. The insertion of the muscle takes the shape of four finger-like projections, each of which inserts onto the posterosuperior aspect of ribs 2 to 5, lateral to their angles.
The serratus posterior inferior muscle originates from the spinous processes of vertebrae T11-L2 and their supraspinous ligaments. From there, it ascends anterolaterally to insert onto the inferoposterior aspect of ribs 9 to 12, just lateral to their angles.

Struggling to memorize all the muscles of the human body? Learn their attachments, innervation and blood supply using Kenhub's muscle anatomy and reference charts!

Relations

The serratus posterior superior muscle is located superficial to the thoracic part of the thoracolumbar fascia covering the splenius cervicis. It lies deep to the rhomboids and the trapezius muscle.

The serratus posterior inferior muscle lies superficial to the erector spinae muscle group and the thoracolumbar fascia and deep to the latissimus dorsi muscle. It is pierced by the lateral branches of the T7-T12 spinal thoracic nerves.

Innervation

Serratus posterior superior is innervated by the intercostal nerves T2-T5.

Serratus posterior inferior is innervated by the anterior rami of the T9-T11 spinal nerves, as well as the subcostal nerves (T12).

Learn more about the serratus posterior and other superficial muscles of the back with the study unit below!

Blood supply

Both muscles receive their vascular supply from the posterior intercostal arteries. Serratus posterior inferior receives additional supply from the subcostal artery and upper lumbar arteries.

Function

The function of the serratus posterior muscles is still largely debated, however, the general consensus is that they play a role in respiration. The serratus posterior superior elevates the ribs and thus supports inspiration (accessory muscle of inspiration). In contrast, the serratus posterior inferior helps during expiration by depressing the ribs (accessory muscle of expiration).

Now that you've read this article, test your knowledge about the serratus posterior and other superficial muscles of the back with the quiz below!

Clinical relations

The disproportionate use of the serratus posterior superior and other back muscles (e.g. cradling the phone between ear and shoulder) can result in a condition known as the scapulocostal syndrome. It is characterized by pain and paresthesia along the medial border of scapula radiating to the neck, chest and upper extremities. Particularly, the pain felt in the little finger during palpation of the muscle is one of the classic signs. The pain can be increased by lifting objects with the outstretched hands or other activities that cause the scapula to exert pressure on the serratus posterior superior muscle.

Clinically, the scapulocostal syndrome is easily mistaken for a lesion of the spinal nerves of the cervical vertebral column (cervical radiculopathy) which typically presents with numbness, muscle weakness and further neurological deficits (e.g. weak or absent reflexes). As a differential diagnosis, arthritis or rotator cuff rupture should also be considered.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

D. Drenckhahn, J. Waschke: Taschenbuch Anatomie, Urban & Fischer Verlag/Elsevier (2008), p. 134-136
S. Waldmann: Atlas of uncommon pain syndromes, 3rd edition, Elsevier Saunders (2013), p. 60-61
R. Gautschi: Manuelle Triggerpunkt-Therapie, 2nd edition, Thieme Verlag (2013), p. 280-282
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Saladin, K., McFarland, R., Gan, C. and Cushman, H., 2018. Essentials Of Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity Of Form And Function. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Soames, R., Palastanga, N. and Richardson, P., 2012. Anatomy And Human Movement. 6th ed. Elsevier Ltd.

Illustrators:

Serratus posterior superior muscle (dorsal view) - Yousun Koh
Serratus posterior inferior muscle (dorsal view) - Yousun Koh

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