Thoracodorsal nerve

The thoracodorsal nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. It is derived from their ventral rami (in spite of the fact that the latissimus dorsi is found in the back) of cervical nerves C6-C8.{{Citation|last=Preston|first=David C.|title=30 - Brachial Plexopathy|date=2013-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781455726721000301|work=Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disorders (Third Edition)|pages=468–486|editor-last=Preston|editor-first=David C.|place=London|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-1-4557-2672-1.00030-1|isbn=978-1-4557-2672-1|access-date=2020-11-01|last2=Shapiro|first2=Barbara E.|editor2-last=Shapiro|editor2-first=Barbara E.}} It is derived from fibres of the posterior divisions of all three trunks of the brachial plexus.{{Citation|last=Bertorini|first=Tulio E.|title=1 - Neuromuscular Anatomy and Function|date=2008-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780750673327500052|work=Neuromuscular Case Studies|pages=1–25|editor-last=Bertorini|editor-first=Tulio E.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7506-7332-7.50005-2|isbn=978-0-7506-7332-7|access-date=2020-11-01}}

It passes inferior-ward anterior to the subscapularis muscle and subscapular vessels. It penetrates into the substance of the latissimus dorsi muscle near the lateral border of scapula.{{Cite web |title=thoracodorsal nerve - Dictionnaire médical de l'Académie de Médecine |url=https://www.academie-medecine.fr/le-dictionnaire/index.php?q=thoracodorsal+nerve |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=www.academie-medecine.fr}}

It follows the course of the subscapular artery, along the posterior wall of the axilla to the latissimus dorsi muscle, in which it may be traced as far as the lower border of the muscle.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The thoracodorsal nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle on its deep surface.

The latissimus dorsi is occasionally used for transplantation, and for augmentation of systole in cardiac failure. In these cases, the nerve supply is preserved, and transplanted with the muscle (for example, with facial reanimation).{{Citation|last=Rea|first=Paul|title=Chapter 2 - Upper Limb Nerve Supply|date=2015-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128030622000024|work=Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Limbs|pages=41–100|editor-last=Rea|editor-first=Paul|publisher=Academic Press|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-803062-2.00002-4|isbn=978-0-12-803062-2|access-date=2020-11-01}}

Posterior cord lesions can result in the loss of adduction of the shoulder joint, as innervation to latissimus dorsi is lost.

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File:Brachial plexus.svg|Brachial plexus

File:Gray809.png|The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front.

File:Brachial_plexus_color.svg|Brachial plexus with courses of spinal nerves shown

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• [http://anatomyguy.com/superficial-back-review/ Dissection Video of Superficial Back showing the Thoracodorsal Nerve]
• {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|05|03|10}} - "The major subdivisions and terminal nerves of the brachial plexus."
• [https://sites.google.com/a/umich.edu/bluelink/curricula/first-year-medical-curriculum/sequence-8-musculoskeletal/session-17-shoulder-and-brachial-plexus/bluelink Thoracodorsal Nerve] - BlueLink Anatomy - University of Michigan Medical School

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Category:Nerves of the upper limb