Levator scapulae is innervated by which nerve?

Levator scapulae is innervated by which nerve?

• A. Dorsal scapular nerve
• B. Axillary nerve
• C. Suprascapular nerve
• D. Long thoracic nerve

Answer: (A)

Levator scapulae gets motor input from the dorsal scapular nerve. This nerve, typically arising from the C5 ventral ramus (often with C4 fibers), travels to the medial border of the scapula and innervates levator scapulae—often together with the rhomboid muscles. That’s why it’s the correct choice: the dorsal scapular nerve specifically targets this muscle. The other nerves listed supply different muscles (axillary to deltoid and teres minor; suprascapular to supraspinatus and infraspinatus; long thoracic to serratus anterior), not levator scapulae.

Levator scapulae gets motor input from the dorsal scapular nerve. This nerve, typically arising from the C5 ventral ramus (often with C4 fibers), travels to the medial border of the scapula and innervates levator scapulae—often together with the rhomboid muscles. That’s why it’s the correct choice: the dorsal scapular nerve specifically targets this muscle. The other nerves listed supply different muscles (axillary to deltoid and teres minor; suprascapular to supraspinatus and infraspinatus; long thoracic to serratus anterior), not levator scapulae.