Dorsal Scapular Nerve, Posterior View

Description

Arising from the ventral ramus of C5 at the posterior triangle of the neck, the dorsal scapular nerve is traced as it passes deep to levator scapulae and then descends along the medial (vertebral) border of the scapula. Posteriorly, its course can be appreciated against the thoracic vertebral column and adjacent ribs, with the scapulae positioned lateral to the spinous processes and the nerve running inferolaterally toward the superomedial angle and down toward the inferior angle. Rhomboid minor and rhomboid major occupy the interval between the vertebral column and the scapula, and the nerve tracks on their deep surface as it distributes segmentally. Long and slender. This posterior perspective matters because dorsal scapular neuropathy most often presents as medial scapular pain and weakness of scapular retraction, and clinicians frequently confuse it with cervical radiculopathy or myofascial pain along the paraspinals. The illustration supports teaching of the nerve’s anatomic vulnerability as it pierces the middle scalene proximally and then courses along the scapular medial border, a relevant corridor during posterior cervical approaches, trigger point injections near the scapular border, and evaluation of scapular winging patterns (rhomboid weakness differs from long thoracic nerve palsy affecting serratus anterior). Use this artwork in gross anatomy lab manuals, neuroanatomy lectures on cervical plexus contributions to shoulder girdle function, and clinical texts covering entrapment neuropathies of the neck and upper back, including sports medicine and physical therapy resources focused on scapular dyskinesis. It also fits radiology and pain medicine teaching files when correlating surface landmarks with deep neural courses for ultrasound-guided interventions. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.