Pectoralis minor origin and insertion

Pectoralis minor runs from the third to fifth ribs to the scapula.

What are the origin and insertion of pectoralis minor?

Pectoralis minor arises from the third to fifth ribs near their cartilages. It inserts on the coracoid process. Its main action is protraction of the scapula. It is supplied by the medial pectoral nerve (C8, T1). The attachments, actions and nerve follow Gray (1918).

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Every attachment and its bone

Origins 3

Origins of pectoralis minor, with the bone each is on
Attachment	Bone
Third rib near its cartilage	Third rib
Fourth rib near its cartilage	Fourth rib
Fifth rib near its cartilage	Fifth rib

Insertion 1

Insertion of pectoralis minor, with the bone each is on
Attachment	Bone
Coracoid process	Scapula

Actions

The actions of pectoralis minor, and which are its main ones
Action	What moves	Main or assisting
Protraction	The shoulder blade slides forward round the chest	Main action
Depression	The shoulder blade drops	Assists

Each action is stated in the anatomical position: standing, arms by the sides, palms forward.

Innervation

The medial pectoral nerve (C8, T1).

Lifts that use pectoralis minor

A prime mover produces the lift’s main joint action against the load; a synergist assists that action, or adds a secondary action the lift needs. Each role is the one the lift’s own page gives, for the technique that page states.

Synergist in 1

Lifts in which pectoralis minor is a synergist, with what it does there
Lift	What it does there
Parallel-bar dip	Pulling the shoulder blades down

Sources

Gray (1918), Myology, the muscles connecting the upper extremity to the anterior and lateral thoracic walls

Each lift role is from that lift’s page in muscles worked by exercise, which names the sources it follows.

See it in 3D

Visualiser · Biology Muscle Origin, Insertion and Action Explorer Paint a muscle’s origin and insertion on real 3D bones, or click a bone to see what attaches to it. Visualiser · Biology Upper Limb Muscles Explorer 114 upper limb muscle meshes, by compartment. Visualiser · Biology Muscles Worked by Exercise 3D Explorer Choose a lift and a real body lights its prime movers, synergists and stabilisers, front and back, with the same muscles in 3D.