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ANATOMY / REFERENCE GALLERY1 / 3 references
The top left panel shows the lateral view of the pectoral and back muscles. The top right panel shows the posterior view of the right deltoid and the left back muscle. The bottom left panel shows the anterior view of the deep muscles of the left shoulder, and the bottom right panel shows the deep muscles of the left shoulder.
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Pectoralis major

Superficial anterior chest muscle forming anterior axillary fold.

Zoom in, then drag to inspect. Keyboard: + / − to zoom, arrows to pan, 0 to reset. Tap the numbered markers to explore parts.

The top left panel shows the lateral view of the pectoral and back muscles. The top right panel shows the posterior view of the right deltoid and the left back muscle. The bottom left panel shows the anterior view of the deep muscles of the left shoulder, and the bottom right panel shows the deep muscles of the left shoulder.

Image: OpenStax / University of Hawaiʻi adapted teaching figures; original contributors credited at source · Source / original · CC BY 4.0 — figure credits at source

Numbered markers and focused views are Mediveerse learning overlays; the original reference is linked above.

Pectoralis major

Shoulder & arm muscles

Pectoralis major

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

Understand what you see.

Adducts and medially rotates the humerus; different fibres contribute flexion or extension from a flexed position.

Zoom into the original labels. Practise pointing out each structure, then explain it aloud. Diagrams are teaching references; specimen appearance and slide staining vary.

01 / IDENTIFICATION

How to recognise it.

  1. Fan-shaped anterior chest muscle
  2. Clavicular and sternocostal parts
  3. Forms anterior axillary fold
02 / KEY STRUCTURES

Point them out.

Tap a number to open its reference, zoom in and locate the structure. Numbers stay the same across views. This key follows landmarks visible in the reference images.

Related features & study points (3)

Additional relations, attachments or microscopic details to revise alongside this plate. These are separate from its numbered image landmarks.

  • Clavicular head
  • Sternocostal head
  • Lateral lip of intertubercular sulcus
03 / VIVA PRACTICE

Think first. Then reveal.

Say your answer aloud before opening the suggested response.

01How do you identify pectoralis major?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Fan-shaped anterior chest muscle. Clavicular and sternocostal parts. Forms anterior axillary fold.

02Name its motor nerves.
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Lateral and medial pectoral nerves from the brachial plexus.

03What makes the posterior axillary fold?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Latissimus dorsi and teres major, in contrast to pectoralis major anteriorly.

04What is its main functional or developmental significance?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Adducts and medially rotates the humerus; different fibres contribute flexion or extension from a flexed position. Key structures to recognise: Clavicular head; Sternocostal head; Lateral lip of intertubercular sulcus.

Read the references.

Credited anatomical plates, microscopy and university teaching references. Individual image credits appear below the viewer. Historical plates can use older terminology; use the lesson text for current names.