The clinical anatomy of variations of the pectoralis minor

Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 May;43(5):645-651. doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02703-y. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Abstract

Shoulder pathology is a very common medical presentation and can be due to anatomical variations. Therefore, knowledge of variants is important for the clinician treating patients with such complaints so that misdiagnosis is minimized and iatrogenic injury prevented. A review of the literature was performed of the variant anatomy of the pectoralis minor muscle. The aim of this review is to better inform clinicians who might treat patients with shoulder pathology so that if identified, variants of the pectoralis minor muscle are better appreciated.

Keywords: Anatomic variants; Anatomy; Cadaver; Muscle; Pectoralis minor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anatomic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Pectoralis Muscles / anatomy & histology*
  • Shoulder / anatomy & histology*
  • Shoulder / surgery
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / etiology
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / surgery*