A branch of the brachial plexus, usually derived from the ventral ramus (anterior ramus) of cervical nerve (C5).
It is accompanied by dorsal scapular artery.
(Course)
1. brachial plexus root, ventral ramus of cervical nerve C5
2. pierces the middle scalene muscle
3. the levator scapulae
4. the rhomboid minor
5. the rhomboid major
(Muscles to provide motor innervation)
• rhomboid major
• rhomboid minor
• levator scapulae
(Clinical significance)
• Injury to the dorsal scapular nerve usually involves injury to the scalene muscles, and isolated injury is uncommon. The patient would be unable to pull their shoulder back, as when standing at attention.
• Dorsal scapular nerve syndrome can be caused by nerve compression syndrome (acute or chronic direct compression of the nerve).
(Symptoms of dorsal scapular nerve syndrome)
• winged scapula
• shoulder pain
• weakness in innervated muscles (rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and levator scapulae)
• limited motion
