The lateral pectoral nerve is a motor nerve arising from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus.
It supplies motor innervation to the pectoralis major and contributes to the innervation of pectoralis minor.
Course
The lateral pectoral nerve originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, containing fibres from C5-7.
It first passes anterior to the axillary artery. Here, it commonly gives rise to a communicating branch which joins the medial pectoral nerve – forming the ansa pectoralis.
It then pieces the costocoracoid membrane, before terminating at the deep surface of the pectoralis major muscle.
Motor Functions
The lateral pectoral nerve provides motor innervation to the pectoralis major. It also contributes to the innervation of the pectoralis minor muscle via the ansa pectoralis.
