Pectoral Muscles

The chest muscles are the muscles located on the front surface of the chest. They are divided into superficial and deep.

The superficial muscles of the chest include:

1. The pectoralis major muscle is a flat, fan-shaped muscle that occupies most of the anterior chest wall. Its bundles converge in the lateral direction and are attached to the greater tubercle of the humerus. This muscle adducts the shoulder and lowers the raised shoulder, while simultaneously rotating it inward.

2. The pectoralis minor muscle (pectoralis minor) is located under the pectoralis major muscle. She pulls the shoulder blade forward and down.

3. The subclavian muscle (pectoralis subclavius) is a small muscle that runs from the anterior surface of the cartilage of the first rib to the lower surface of the clavicle. Lowers the collarbone.

4. The serratus anterior muscle (pectoralis serratus anterior) - starts from the VIII-IX ribs and is attached to the medial edge of the scapula. Pulls the shoulder blade forward and straightens the chest when inhaling.

The deep chest muscles include:

1. External intercostal muscles (pectoralis externi intercostales)

2. Internal intercostal muscles (pectoralis interni intercostales)

3. Subcostal muscles (pectoralis subcostales)

4. Transverse chest muscle (pectoralis transversus thoracis)

These muscles are involved in breathing by raising and lowering the ribs.

The chest muscles are a group of muscles located on the front surface of the chest. They play an important role in maintaining posture, arm and shoulder movement, and breathing. In this article we will look at the main chest muscles and their functions.

The pectoralis major muscle is a flat, fan-shaped muscle that occupies most of the front chest. She adducts the shoulder and lifts it, simultaneously rotating it inward and retracting it backward. This muscle also helps in lifting weights and moving your arms.

The pectoralis minor muscle is located under the pectoralis major muscle and pulls the scapula down and forward. It also helps with arm and shoulder movement.

The subclavian muscle originates from the collarbone and attaches to the first rib. It elevates the first rib and assists in external rotation of the shoulder.

The serratus anterior muscle is located on the front side of the chest and starts from the shoulder blade. It helps in rotating and abducting the shoulder outward and upward.

The external intercostal muscles are located between the ribs and help in expanding the chest during breathing. The internal intercostal muscles are also involved in breathing, but they are located inside the chest and are not visible from the outside.

The transverse thoracis muscle is located on the side of the chest and helps in turning and bending the torso.

In addition, the pectoral muscles are involved in the cardiovascular system and help in blood circulation.

**Pectoral muscles - (lat. musculi pectorales) a group of large muscles involved in the movement of the arm and upper limbs. They are located in the front of the body in the chest area.** They consist of a group of superficial and deep muscles. Among them, the most powerful are the pectoralis major muscle (45.6%) and the brachialis major muscle (27.3%).

The main functions of the chest muscles are to adduct the shoulder, internally rotate, lower the scapula and hold the movable scapula in a certain position. The function of muscles depends on their location, the amount of work performed and the direction of application of muscle effort. For example, depending on the position of the muscle attachment, the superior oblique pectoralis minor muscle raises the shoulder girdle and brings the shoulder toward the body, and the pectoralis major muscle muscle lowers the humerus and tilts the arm. In this case, it stretches the latissimus dorsi muscles and increases the inhalation volume of the chest along with the movement of the costal cartilages.