Summary
Background
In many plastic surgeries, a detailed understanding of the pectoral nerve anatomy
is often required. However, the information available on the anatomy of pectoral nerves
is sparse and unclear. The purpose of this study is to provide detailed anatomical
information on the pectoral nerves to allow for their easy intra-operative localisation
and to improve the understanding of the pectoral muscle innervation.
Methods
We dissected 26 brachial plexuses from 15 fresh cadavers. The origins, locations,
courses and branches of the pectoral nerves were recorded.
Results
We found three constant branches of the pectoral nerve. The superior branch travelled
in a straight course to the pectoralis major to innervate the clavicular aspect. The
middle branch coursed on the under-surface of the pectoralis major near the pectoral
branch of the thoraco-acromial artery to innervate the muscle's sternal aspect. The
inferior branch passed beneath the pectoralis minor muscle to innervate the pectoralis
minor muscle and the costal aspect of the pectoralis major muscle.
Conclusions
Knowing the pectoral nerves' origins, courses and connections, in addition to understanding
the functional consequences of iatrogenically severing these nerves, leads to a better
understanding of the pectoral muscle's innervation. Precise anatomical data on the
pectoral nerve allow for its easy localisation during axillary breast augmentation,
axillary dissection, removal of the pectoralis minor muscle and harvesting the pectoralis
major muscle island flap.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 25, 2012
Accepted:
March 20,
2012
Received:
September 26,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- The anatomy of the pectoral nerves and its significance in reconstruction and augmentation of the breastJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic SurgeryVol. 66Issue 6
