Shoulder Case 9 Background

Winged Scapula

The term winged scapula refers to the scapula deformity from paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. The long thoracic nerve, which comes from the cervical nerve roots C5-C7, innervates the serratus anterior and courses under the subscapularis muscle. Injury from nerve compression leads to paralysis of the serratus anterior, which normally functions to abduct the scapula and move it forward, allowing such movements as punching