Dorsal scapular nerve

The dorsal scapular nerve is a purely motor nerve originating from the C5 ventral ramus of the brachial plexus. It innervates the levator scapulae, rhomboid major, and rhomboid minor muscles, which are crucial for scapular retraction and elevation.

The dorsal scapular nerve typically pierces the middle scalene muscle and courses deep to the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles. The dorsal scapular artery, which supplies blood to these muscles, often accompanies the nerve.

Entrapment of the dorsal scapular nerve, commonly by a hypertrophied middle scalene muscle, can cause neck and shoulder pain, and muscle spasms.