Serratus Anterior
Function
The serratus anterior muscle does the following:
- Protracts the scapula.This means that the serratus anterior muscle pulls the scapula, or shoulder blade, forward and around the ribcage.
- Rotates the scapula upward.This means that the serratus anterior muscle turns the scapula, or shoulder blade, such that the bottom of the scapula moves upward and laterally (i.e. outward).
Common Name(s)
The serratus anterior is often called the "boxer's muscle" because it is highly developed in professional boxers due to the scapular protraction that occurs during a punching motion.
The muscular anatomy image shown here is in the public domain. It may have been modified by ShapeSense.com, but was originally acquired at the following address:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gray392.png
