Subclavius muscle

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Subclavius muscle
Subclavius muscle frontal2.png
Subclavius muscle (shown in red).
Deep muscles of the chest and front of the arm, with the boundaries of the axilla. (Subclavius visible at upper left, above first rib.)
Origin first rib and cartilage
Insertion subclavian groove of clavicle (inferior surface of middle third of clavicle)
Artery thoracoacromial trunk, clavicular branch
Nerve subclavian nerve
Actions depression of clavicle elevation of first rib
Latin musculus subclavius
TA A04.4.01.007
FMA 13410
Anatomical terms of muscle

The subclavius is a small triangular muscle, placed between the clavicle and the first rib.[1] Along with the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles, the subclavius muscle makes up the anterior wall of the axilla.[2]


It arises by a short, thick tendon from the first rib and its cartilage at their junction, in front of the costoclavicular ligament.[1]

The fleshy fibers proceed obliquely superolaterally, to be inserted into the groove on the under surface of the clavicle.


The nerve to subclavius (or subclavian nerve), which arises from the point of junction of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves, where is called the upper trunk of brachial plexus, innervates the muscle .


Insertion into coracoid process instead of clavicle or into both clavicle and coracoid process. Sternoscapular fasciculus to the upper border of scapula. Sternoclavicularis [3] from manubrium to clavicle between pectoralis major and coracoclavicular fascia.[1]


The subclavius depresses the shoulder, carrying it downward and forward. It draws the clavicle inferiorly as well as anteriorly.

The subclavius protects the underlying brachial plexus and subclavian vessels from a broken clavicle - the most frequently broken long bone.

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