Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

384 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

“forward-reaching” movements, throwing, and bench

pressing. In pushing movements, the serratus ante-

rior is vital for stabilizing the scapula so that the

pressure on the outstretched hand does not cause

the scapula to move posteriorly. It has also been

shown to be very active during swimming (Nuber et

al., 1986). The importance of the serratus anterior

for upward rotation is demonstrated by the difficulty

of raising the arms above shoulder height (or even

the inability to do so) when this muscle is paralyzed.

Loss of this muscle is also associated with back-

ward projection of the medial border of the scapula

(termed “winging” of the scapula) and inadequate

forward movement of the scapula on the thorax

(scapular abduction), when the arm is reached for-

ward (Smith, Weiss, and Lehmkuhl, 1996).

Palpation: Stand with the fingertips of the left

hand placed on the anterolateral aspect of the ribs,

just in front of the lower portion of the lateral border

of the scapula. The serratus anterior can be felt

contracting under the fingertips when the right arm

is raised forward to an overhead position.

FIGURE 7.11 Force couple formed by the trapezius

and serratus anterior for upward rotation of the scap-

ula (right scapula, posterior view).

Pectoralis Minor

As its name implies, the pectoralis minor (pectus, chest, breast + minor, lesser) is a small muscle located

in the upper area of the chest (deep to the pectoralis major) as seen in figure 7.10. The pectoralis minor

runs from three upper ribs upward and outward to attach to the coracoid process of the scapula. Due

to this line of pull it tends to produce abduction, depression, and downward rotation of the scapula.

However, it probably acts more for fine motor control and to assist the previously described scapular

Attachments and Primary Actions of Pectoralis Minor

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Pectoralis minor

(pek-to-RA-lis MY-nor)

Outer surface of 2nd or 3rd to

5th ribs

Coracoid process of

scapulae

Scapular abduction

Scapular downward rotation

Scapular depression

TABLE 7.1 Summary of Actions of the Scapular Muscles

Scapular

upward

rotation

Scapular

downward

rotation

Scapular

elevation

Scapular

depression

Scapular

abduction

Scapular

adduction

Upper trapezius x x x

Middle trapezius x

Lower trapezius x x x

Levator scapulae x x x

Rhomboids x x x

Serratus anterior x x

(lower fibers)

x

Pectoralis minor x x x