- Long thoracic nerve C5-7, roots of Brachial Plexus.
- Supplies Serratus anterior - segmental supply
- Course
- Descends posterolateral to the brachial plexus and axillary vessels
- Exits lateral side scalenus medius
- Travels on the superficial surface of the serratus anterior muscle below the fascia
- Runs inferiorly along the lateral chest wall, posterior to mid axillary line
- Initially begins superficial to fascia high in axilla but it passes medially and pierces the fascia at 4-5th intercostal space
- Identified high in axilla when embedded with axillary fat. Retracting axillary lymph nodes laterally and bluntly dissecting out interval between serratus and nodes identifies nerve which can be pushed back onto chest wall.
- Injury – Winged scapula