thoracodorsal nerve

anatomy

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July 14, 2026

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The thoracodorsal nerve is a thoracic nerve that innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle. It is part of the brachial plexus, which provides motor, sensory, and autonomic fibers to the shoulder and upper extremity. The brachial plexus is formed by spinal nerves from cervical levels C5–C8 and thoracic level T1, with contributions from C4 and T2. These nerves converge to form trunks, which then split into divisions and finally into cords that give rise to various nerves, including the thoracodorsal nerve. The dorsal nerve is another term for a thoracic nerve.12

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human nervous system
Brachial plexus
…long thoracic (to serratus anterior), thoracodorsal (to latissimus dorsi), and subscapular (to teres major and subscapular). The axillary nerve carries motor fibers to the deltoid and teres minor muscles as well as sensory fibers to the lateral surface of the shoulder and upper arm. The biceps, brachialis, and coracobrachialis muscles,…
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…long thoracic (to serratus anterior), thoracodorsal (to latissimus dorsi), and subscapular (to teres major and subscapular). The axillary nerve carries motor fibers to the deltoid and teres minor muscles as well as sensory fibers to the lateral surface of the shoulder and upper arm. The biceps, brachialis, and coracobrachialis muscles,…
Read More