What are they
The pectoral muscles are part of a group of muscles called thoracoappendicular and are placed at the front of the upper torso.
They participate in movements related to inspiration, allowing the elevation of the ribs and the increase in volume of the rib cage, and allow the movement of the arms closer to the body and rotation inwards.
What are they?
The pectoral muscles are divided into two pairs (right and left): the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor.
The pectoralis major muscle has a sort of “fan” shape with the “handle” facing the arm and is composed of three parts: the clavicular part that originates from the anterior margin of the clavicle, the sterno-costal part that originates from the anterior face of the sternum and the first six costal cartilages, and the abdominal part that originates from the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle.
The bundles of the three parts converge in the direction of the arm and insert with a tendon flattened to the biceps groove of the humerus (the bone of the arm that goes from the shoulder to the elbow).
The superficial face of the pectoralis majora is related to the mammary gland, while the deep face covers the sternum, the external intercostal muscles and the pectoralis minorus.
The pectoralis minorus muscle is placed below the pectoralis majora and originates from the external face and upper margin of the 3rd, 4th and 5th ribs; Its muscle bundles extend upwards and insert at the apex and medial margin of the coracoid process of the scapula.
With its deep face it covers the ribs, internal intercostal muscles, anterior dentate muscle, axillary vessels and brachial plexus; Together with the pectoralis major muscle, it forms the anterior wall of the axillary cavity.
The muscles that together with the pectorals make up the group of thoracoappendicular muscles are the subclavian muscle and the anterior dentate muscle.
What they do
The pectoralis major muscle allows you to bring the arm towards the trunk and rotate it in the direction of the torso; It also allows you to lift the trunk and participate in movements related to inspiration.
The pectoralis minor muscle lowers the shoulder, raises the ribs and participates in the movements of inspiration.
The anterior dentate muscle elevates the ribs and moves the scapula forward, out, and up, while the subclavian muscle lowers the clavicle.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.