Muscles of the thorax

The pectoralis major (french : muscle grand pectoral) named from its being the larger of the two muscles which arise from the front of the chest (pectus = breast) - is a thick, triangular, fan-shaped sheet ; or, more accurately, it may be likened to the sector of a circle on account of le curved origin, from which all the fibres converge to the upper part of the humerus as a center.

The subclavius muscle (french: Muscle subclavier) - named from its position beneath the clavicle (=clavis) - is almost cylindrical, but may be more accurately described as a thick sheet of the shape of a low obtuse-angled triangle, the obtuse angle being contained between the clavicular attachment and the inner free border of the muscle.

The serratus anterior muscle (Latin: serratus magnus; French: muscle dentelé antérieur) - named from its serrated or saw-like anterior border and large size - is an irregular quadrilateral sheet curved to the shape of the side of the thorax. Its anterior attached border has a somewhat sinuous curve and arises from the side of the thorax by nine or ten digitations or teeth, which, by their saw-like appearance, give the muscle its name. The muscle may be divided into an upper, middle, and lower part.

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