Which nerve innervates rhomboid major and rhomboid minor?

• A. Axillary nerve
• B. Dorsal scapular nerve (C4-C5)
• C. Suprascapular nerve
• D. Subscapular nerve

Answer: (B)

Retracting the scapula and stabilizing it toward the spine are carried out by the rhomboid major and minor, and their motor supply comes from the dorsal scapular nerve, a branch of the C5 ventral ramus (often with a contribution from C4). The rhomboids arise from the C7–T5 spinous processes and insert along the medial border of the scapula, lying deep to trapezius and levator scapulae. The dorsal scapular nerve travels to these muscles, providing the necessary innervation to produce retraction and downward rotation of the scapula. Other nerves listed innervate different muscles: the axillary nerve targets the deltoid and teres minor; the suprascapular nerve supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus; the subscapular nerves innervate subscapularis and teres major. Therefore, the dorsal scapular nerve is the correct innervation for rhomboid major and minor.