Serratus Anterior
Musculus serratus anterior
The serratus anterior is a fan-shaped muscle along the lateral ribcage that protracts the scapula and rotates it upward, keeping it flat against the thorax (its weakness causes scapular “winging”). Though best known as a shoulder/scapular muscle, its fibers visually blend with the obliques and it is a meaningful contributor to ribcage and trunk integration. It is trained by push-ups with a plus, overhead pressing, and scapular protraction drills, and is essential for healthy overhead mechanics.
- Actions
- Scapular protraction, Scapular upward rotation, Holds scapula against the thorax, Assists forced inspiration
- Origin
- External surfaces of the upper 8-9 ribs (ribs 1-9)
- Insertion
- Costal (anterior) surface of the medial border of the scapula
- Innervation
- Long thoracic nerve (C5-C7)
- Blood supply
- Lateral thoracic and superior thoracic arteries (and thoracodorsal branches)
Synergists Pectoralis MinorTrapezius
Antagonists Rhomboid MajorRhomboid Minor
Exercises (24)
Assists in
- Arnold Press
- Bench Press
- Decline Push-Up
- Diamond Push-Up
- Dumbbell Bench Press
- Dumbbell Push Press
- Dumbbell Shoulder Press
- Front Plank
- Front Raise
- Incline Barbell Bench Press
- Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
- Incline Push-Up
- Landmine Press
- Lateral Raise
- Machine Shoulder Press
- Mountain Climber
- Overhead Press
- Plank
- Push Press
- Push-Up
- Seated Barbell Shoulder Press
- Smith Machine Shoulder Press
- Weighted Push-Up
- Wide Push-Up