The Serratus Anterior is a muscle located on the upper and outer portion of the chest. The spelling of this word is based on its Latin origin. The first word, Serratus, is pronounced /səˈreɪtəs/ and refers to the muscle's appearance which resembles a saw. The second word, Anterior, is pronounced /ænˈtɪərɪər/ and means "front", in this case referring to its location on the front of the body. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of Serratus Anterior is /səˈreɪtəs ænˈtɪərɪər/.
Serratus anterior is a muscle found in the human body that is located on the lateral side of the chest wall. It consists of a series of muscular slips or digitations, which attach to the upper eight or nine ribs on one side and extend toward the scapula on the other. The muscle is named after its serrated or saw-like appearance due to its finger-like projections.
The serratus anterior muscle plays a critical role in various movements and functions, particularly in the upper body. Its main function is to protract and stabilize the scapula or shoulder blade against the ribcage, allowing for a wide range of arm movements and rotations. Additionally, it assists in lifting and upward rotation of the scapula during overhead activities, such as reaching or throwing.
In terms of its anatomical structure, the serratus anterior muscle is innervated by the long thoracic nerve, and it receives its blood supply from the thoracodorsal artery. The muscle fibers of the serratus anterior are primarily composed of slow-twitch muscle fibers, which provides endurance and sustained contraction ability.
The serratus anterior is essential for maintaining optimal posture, shoulder stability, and overall upper body strength. Injuries or dysfunctions of this muscle can often result in limited arm movement, scapular winging (where the shoulder blade sticks out prominently), and decreased functional abilities. Rehabilitation exercises and strengthening programs targeted at the serratus anterior are commonly prescribed to address such issues.
The word "serratus" comes from the Latin term "serratus", which means "saw-toothed" or "serrated". This term describes the appearance of the muscle fibers, which have jagged or serrated edges. "Anterior" comes from the Latin word "ante", meaning "before" or "in front of". Therefore, "serratus anterior" refers to the muscle located in front of the body with saw-toothed or serrated edges.