Where it is
On the sides of the thorax, below the shoulder blade; it shows as a band with “teeth” on the ribs.
- Layer
- Muscles
- System
- Muscles
- Region
- Trunk
What it is and what it does
It arises by digitations from the ribs and the cervical vertebrae and inserts on the medial face of the scapula. Since the forelimb has no bony joint with the thorax, this muscle is the “sling” that carries the weight of the trunk between the two shoulder blades; it also helps with inspiration.
Worth remembering
It is the “sling” that carries the weight of the trunk between the two shoulder blades, because the front leg has no bony link to the chest.
Names
- Latin term: musculus serratus ventralis.
- In Romanian: Dințatul ventral (Romanian page).
In the atlas lessons
Muscles: what moves what (5 min):
The shoulder blade has no joint with the thorax: the serratus ventralis muscle carries the weight of the trunk between the two forelimbs, like a hammock.