Serratus Anterior Muscle Anatomy
& Exercises 101: The Rib Muscles

This serratus anterior muscle anatomy guide includes everything from muscle information to exercises.

This chest muscle is an often forgotten muscle group located on the sides of your ribs, in front of the latissimus dorsi.

Its functional actions include moving the scapula (shoulder blades) forward as well as rotating and raising it upward.

Find definitions of all the terminology in this guide, using the glossary resource near the end of the page.

Use the table of contents (TOC) to jump to any given section within this page.

Serratus Anterior Muscle Anatomy

Superior Digitations

1st Digitation.

• Origin
  • 1st Rib and the Uppermost part of the 2nd Rib
  • Intercostal Fascia between the 1st and 2nd Ribs
• Insertion
  • Ventral Surface of the Vertebral Border of the Scapula, at a Superior Angle
• Function
  • Scapular Elevation (plays a small role compared to the upper trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae)
  • Scapular Protraction

2nd & 3rd Digitations.

• Origin
  • 2nd and 3rd Ribs, Respectively
• Insertion
  • Approx. the Entire Length of the Ventral Surface of the Vertebral Border of the Scapula
• Function
  • Same as the 1st Digitation

Inferior Digitations

4th to 8th or 9th Digitations.

• Origin
  • 4th to 8th or 9th Ribs, Respectively
• Insertion
• Ventral Surface of the Vertebral Border of the Scapula, at an Inferior Angle
• Function
  • Lateral/Upward Scapular Rotation
  • Scapular Protraction

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Serratus Anterior Muscle Exercises

Exercises. Below is a list of the exercises that most directly workout this muscle group.

• 1-Arm Incline Shoulder Pushes (Cable)
• Dip Shrugs
• Incline Shoulder Raises
• Overhead Shrugs
• Twisting Chest Press (Cable)
• Compound Chest Exercises
• Front Deltoid Exercises

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Related Muscles

Muscles that perform similar functions include the following:

• Pectoralis Major
• Pectoralis Minor

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Serratus Anterior Muscle Glossary

Functions

• Lateral/Upward Scapular Rotation. Raising the scapula upward, while also rotating the inferior angle of the scapula laterally (i.e. to the outside).
• Scapular Elevation. Raising the scapula upward.
• Scapular Protraction. Moving the scapula forward.

Anatomy

• Digitation. Division of the muscle into "finger-like" parts.
• Inferior. Below, or lower; located closer to the feet, away from the head.
• Intercostal Fascia. Thick, fibrous body tissue covering the muscle, between the rib bones.
• Scapula. Shoulder blade.
• Superior. Above, or higher; located closer to the head, away from the feet.
• Ventral Surface. Front side; anterior.
• Vertebral Border. The edge of the scapula, which is closest to the spinal column.

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