The dorsal scapular nerve is a motor nerve of the scapular region.
It supplies motor innervation to the rhomboid major, rhomboid minor and levator scapulae muscles.
Course
The dorsal scapular nerve arises from the brachial plexus, most commonly as a direct branch of the C5 spinal root.
From its origin, it passes inferiorly and pierces the middle scalene muscle.
The dorsal scapular nerve then descends between the deep surface of the levator scapula (which it supplies with motor innervation) and the superficial surfaces of the serratus posterior and posterior scalene.
It then passes under the deep surface of the rhomboid muscles, terminating into numerous motor branches.
Fig 1 – Course of the dorsal scapular nerve
Motor Functions
The dorsal scapular nerve provides motor innervation to the rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and levator scapulae muscles.
