title: Anatomical study of the articular branch of the lateral pectoral nerve to the shoulder joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to document the distribution of the articular branch of the lateral pectoral nerve (LPN) to the shoulder and to identify a suitable point for its blockade.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved the dissection of 43 shoulders of 22 unembalmed cadavers (6 male and 16 female) to identify the LPN and its articular branch to the shoulder. To identify the suitable anatomical point for blocking the articular branch of the LPN, several anatomical landmarks around the shoulder were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The articular branch of the LPN to the shoulder was present in 29 of 43 cases (67.4 %). The appropriate point to block the articular branch of the LPN was identified at a mean distance of 1.5 cm below the clavicle, on the line connecting the closest points between the clavicle and the coracoid process, and at a mean depth of 1.0 cm from the skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The articular branch of the LPN to the shoulder, as well as the muscular and cutaneous branches of the LPN, covers a portion of the shoulder joint with suprascapular and axillary nerves. Surgeons might consider a peripheral block of the suprascapular, axillary, and LPNs to provide maximum block coverage after shoulder joint surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 520-2, Deahung-Dong, Joong-Ku, Daejeon, 302-803, South Korea.
authors.forename: Karnav
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Panchal
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: In-Beom
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 520-2, Deahung-Dong, Joong-Ku, Daejeon, 302-803, South Korea. junwoo0220@yahoo.co.kr.
authors.forename: Jong-Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 520-2, Deahung-Dong, Joong-Ku, Daejeon, 302-803, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Gyu
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 520-2, Deahung-Dong, Joong-Ku, Daejeon, 302-803, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Ryeoll
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000070597:Coracoid Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D012867:Skin; D066231:Surgeons
keywords: Analgesia; Articular branch to the shoulder; Lateral pectoral nerve; Nerve block