Serratus posterior muscles: Anatomy, clinical relevance, and function

The serratus posterior superior and inferior muscles are generally consider ed clinically insignificant muscles that, based on attachments, probably fu nction in respiration. Interestingly, however, there is no evidence support ing a respiratory role for these muscles. In fact, some electromyographic d ata refute a respiratory function for these muscles. We suggest that the se rratus posterior muscles function primarily in proprioception. Further, the se muscles, especially the superior, have been implicated in myofascial pai n syndromes and therefore may have greater clinical relevance than commonly attributed to them. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.