Subscapular nerves

{{Short description|Nerves that control the shoulder blade}}

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Subscapular nerves

| Latin = nervus subscapularis

| Greek =

| Image = Gray807.png

| Caption = Plan of brachial plexus (label for upper and lower subscapular nerves at bottom center)

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| Innervates = Subscapularis, latissimus dorsi muscle (only middle subscapular nerve), and teres major muscle (only lower subscapular nerve)

| BranchFrom = Posterior cord

| Precursor =

| System =

| Artery =

| Vein =

| Nerve =

| Lymph =

}}

Subscapular nerves can refer to:

• Upper subscapular nerve
• Thoracodorsal nerve (middle subscapular nerve)
• Lower subscapular nerve

The subscapular nerves originate from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. These nerves are part of a group of nerves that innervate the muscles that move the scapula. The upper subscapular nerve innervates the upper portion of the subscapularis muscle. The middle subscapular nerve, known as the thoracodorsal nerve, innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle.{{Cite journal |last1=Polcaro |first1=Lauren |last2=Charlick |first2=Matthew |last3=Daly |first3=Daniel |date=2022-08-22 |title=Anatomy, Head and Neck, Brachial Plexus |url=https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/18496 |journal=StatPearls |pmid=30285368 |language=en}}

The lower subscapular nerve contains two branches. One branch inserts into the lower portion of the subscapularis muscle and the other branch inserts into the teres major. In some individuals, accessory upper subscapular nerve or accessory lower subscapular nerve may be found.{{Cite journal |last1=Saleh |first1=D. B. |last2=Callear |first2=J. |last3=McConnell |first3=P. |last4=Kay |first4=S. P. J. |date=2012-08-01 |title=The anatomy of the subscapular nerves: A new nomenclature |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748681512001313 |journal=Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery |language=en |volume=65 |issue=8 |pages=1072–1075 |doi=10.1016/j.bjps.2012.03.020 |pmid=22480627 |issn=1748-6815}}