Updated: 3/9/2021

Long Thoracic Nerve

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Overview
 

 
Snapshot
  • A 47-year-old woman is undergoing an elective mastectomy with axillary node dissection after being diagnosed with breast cancer and having clinically positive axillary lymph nodes. On post-operative follow-up the patient's major concern is pain and weakness of the right shoulder. She reports that her husband noticed asymmetry in her shoulder blades. On physical exam, there is winging of the scapula when she is pushing against the wall.
Introduction
  • Anatomy
    • arises from the 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical nerve roots that innervates the
      • serratus anterior muscle
    • the long thoracic nerve is a pure motor nerve 
  • Clinical correlat
    • injury to the long thoracic nerve results in
      • winging of the scapula which can be demonstrated when
        • the patient presses against the wall which leads to
          • the affected scapula projecting out
        • etiologies include
          • neuralgic amyotrophy
            • this is an inflammatory disorder affecting the brachial plexus
          • trauma to the nerve
            • examples include
              • a direct blow to the shoulder or the lateral chest wall (e.g., football)
              • surgical procedures such as
                • resection of the first rib
                • mastectomy with dissection of the axillary node
                • infraclavicular plexus anesthesia
          • stretch or traction of the nerve can occur with
            • repetitive motion when doing sports or physical labor

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Questions (2)
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(M1.AN.14.49) A healthy 49-year-old photographer presents to his primary doctor for an annual physical. When conducting the physical exam, you note that he has decreased range of motion in his right shoulder, along with what is seen in Figure A. Upon questioning, he reports having to carry a heavy bag containing photography equipment over his right shoulder daily. Which of the following nerves is affected in his condition?

QID: 106342
FIGURES:

Axillary nerve

2%

(6/254)

Suprascapular nerve

4%

(11/254)

Subscapular nerve

3%

(7/254)

Long thoracic nerve

87%

(221/254)

Median nerve

0%

(1/254)

M 1 E

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