Which nerve innervates Rhomboid Major and Rhomboid Minor?

Which nerve innervates Rhomboid Major and Rhomboid Minor?

• A. Dorsal scapular nerve
• B. Medial pectoral nerve
• C. Long thoracic nerve
• D. Subscapular nerve

Answer: (A)

Innervation pattern for these rhomboid muscles is via the dorsal scapular nerve. This nerve arises from the C5 root (often with C4) and travels to the deep surface of the rhomboids, delivering the motor supply that enables their action of retracting and downwardly rotating the scapula, helping stabilize the scapulothoracic joint. The medial pectoral nerve goes to the pectoralis major and minor, not the rhomboids. The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior, and the subscapular nerves innervate subscapularis (and teres major via the lower subscapular nerve). So they don’t supply the rhomboid muscles.

Innervation pattern for these rhomboid muscles is via the dorsal scapular nerve. This nerve arises from the C5 root (often with C4) and travels to the deep surface of the rhomboids, delivering the motor supply that enables their action of retracting and downwardly rotating the scapula, helping stabilize the scapulothoracic joint.

The medial pectoral nerve goes to the pectoralis major and minor, not the rhomboids. The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior, and the subscapular nerves innervate subscapularis (and teres major via the lower subscapular nerve). So they don’t supply the rhomboid muscles.