The thoracodorsal nerve supplies motor innervation to which muscle?

Master the Back Muscles: Origins, Insertions, Actions and Innervations with a comprehensive quiz. Engage with diverse question formats, including multiple choice and flashcards, each supplemented with hints and explanations. Ensure your readiness for academic and professional success!

Multiple Choice

The thoracodorsal nerve supplies motor innervation to which muscle?

Explanation:
The key idea is which nerve provides motor supply to the latissimus dorsi. The thoracodorsal nerve does exactly that: it arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (primarily C6–C8) and travels to the latissimus dorsi to supply its motor innervation. This muscle actions — extension, adduction, and medial rotation of the humerus — depend on that nerve. The other muscles listed are innervated by different nerves: trapezius by the spinal accessory nerve (with some C3–C4 input), while levator scapulae and rhomboid minor are innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (C5, with possible C3–C4 contributions). Thus, the thoracodorsal nerve is the correct source for motor innervation of the latissimus dorsi.

The key idea is which nerve provides motor supply to the latissimus dorsi. The thoracodorsal nerve does exactly that: it arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus (primarily C6–C8) and travels to the latissimus dorsi to supply its motor innervation. This muscle actions — extension, adduction, and medial rotation of the humerus — depend on that nerve. The other muscles listed are innervated by different nerves: trapezius by the spinal accessory nerve (with some C3–C4 input), while levator scapulae and rhomboid minor are innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (C5, with possible C3–C4 contributions). Thus, the thoracodorsal nerve is the correct source for motor innervation of the latissimus dorsi.

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