Il anterior serratus muscle is one of the most important muscles of the shoulder; it extends from the upper nine ribs and expands in front of the scapula; it serves to rotate and move the scapula forward and upward.
It is sometimes referred to as the "Boxer's muscle" because it is responsible for the movement of the shoulder blade when throwing a punch.
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Anatomy and functions of the anterior serratus
The serratus anterior is made up of three components:
- Superior: this portion originates from the first and second ribs and is inserted in the superior medial angle of the scapula; the top acts as an anchor and allows the shoulder blade to rotate when the arm is raised over the head
- Medial: the central component of the serratus anterior arises from the third, fourth and fifth ribs and acts as an extension of the scapula
- Inferior: the inferior component originates from the sixth to the ninth rib and serves to extend the scapula and rotate it laterally.
The main actions of this muscle are:
- protraction of the scapulo-thoracic joint
- abduction of the scapulo-thoracic joint
- rib elevation (inspiratory muscle)
- arm anteversion
- collaboration with bundles of the trapezius for elevation of arms on the frontal and sagittal plane.
Anterior tooth training
The serratus anterior is an important muscle for shoulder girdle performance and health, but is often overlooked when planning exercises; if this muscle is weak, the shoulder blade will not move smoothly along the chest as it should.
What happens when the serratus anterior is not trained is that the lower edge of the scapula will become more prominent; furthermore, they increase the risks of injuries, in particular injuries such as shoulder impingement or rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Pain in the serratus anterior
The most common causes of pain in this muscle include:
- tension
- fatigue
- excessive use
- minor injuries
pain in this muscle it is very common in those who practice repetitive sports such as swimming, tennis and weight lifting.
This pain can also result from myofascial pain syndrome; this pathology is difficult to diagnose and is often reached by exclusion.
Several medical conditions can lead to anterior serratus muscle pain, including:
- broken or cracked ribs
- pleurisy (inflammation of the lung or chest tissues)
- ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine)
Problems with the serratus anterior often cause symptoms such as:
- chest pain
- back pain
- pain in the arms
- pain in the fingers
- breathing difficulties
- breast pain.
These problems can also make it difficult to lift your arm above your head and make normal arm movements as well shoulders. To solve it, it is advisable to contact a physiotherapist and do a lot of mobility!
And you, did you know the anterior serratus muscle? How do you train this muscle? Let us know in the comments!