Chest Musculature Anatomy

• Section 3.2.4 discusses chest musculature (Brustmuskulatur)
• Specific muscle lessons are in section 3.2

M. pectoralis major (Großer Brustmuskel)

• Location: From the chest to the upper arm
• Function: Lowers and rotates the arm inward, pulls the shoulder forward and aids in breathing

M. pectoralis minor (Kleiner Brustmuskel)

• Location: Underneath the large chest muscle
• Function: Assists the large chest muscle, lowers the shoulder blade, and aids in breathing

M. serratus anterior (Vorderer Sägemuskel)

• Location: From the ribs in the front to the shoulder blade in the back
• Function: Rotates the shoulder blade forwards and upwards (for raising the arm), and aids in breathing

Mm. intercostales (Zwischenrippenmuskulatur)

• Location: Between the ribs (two layers)
• Function: Inhalation, exhalation
• Works together with the intercostal muscles for actual breathing (refer to 3.1.2 Breathing for details)

Diaphragma (Zwerchfell)

• Location: Between the chest and abdominal cavity

Tab. 3.5: Summary Table of Chest Muscles

Central tendon plate (Centrum tendineum) connects both muscle groups of the diaphragm

Diagram of Diaphragm (Zwerchfell)

• Shows the front half viewed from behind

Key anatomical features

• Opening for the inferior vena cava (Vena cava inferior)
• Further passageways exist for the esophagus (Ösophagus), aorta (Aorta), and thoracic duct (Ductus thoracicus)
• Other visible structures: ribs (Rippen), right diaphragmatic dome (Rechte Zwerchfellkuppel), transverse abdominal muscle (M. transversus abdominis), posterior layer of the rectus sheath, costal arch (Rippenbogen), left diaphragmatic dome (linke Zwerchfell-Kuppel), sternal attachment of the sternum (Schwertfortsatz des Brustbeins)