Upper limb
Subscapular nerves (Upper and lower)
Nervi subscapulares (superior et inferior)
- Origin
- Arise from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (C5–C6)
- Insertion
- Upper subscapular enters the superior part of subscapularis; lower subscapular innervates inferior subscapularis and teres major
- Function
- Motor innervation to subscapularis (internal rotator of humerus) and teres major (adduction/internal rotation)
- Innervation
- Pure motor supply (C5, C6)
- Movement & chain
- Provides primary glenohumeral internal rotation and anterior joint capsule restraint
- Palpation
- Not palpable through anterior axillary structures
- Clinical
- Dysfunction impairs active internal rotation, evaluated clinically via the Gerber lift-off and belly-press tests
- Segmental innervation
- C5–C6 spinal roots
- In clinical practice
- Protected during posterior axillary and subscapular surgical exposures
- Region in the model
- Upper limb