Subclavius (Musculus subclavius)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A small triangular muscle tucked under the clavicle from the first rib to the bone’s inferior surface; it acts as a living cushion protecting the sternoclavicular joint during clavicular loading and gently depresses the clavicle.
Origin & insertion
First rib at the junction of its bony and cartilaginous parts. Subclavian groove on the inferior surface of the middle third of the clavicle.
Action
Depresses and steadies the clavicle during shoulder movement and protects the sternoclavicular joint from dislocation in direct shoulder blows.
Innervation
Nerve to subclavius (C5–C6).
Clinical notes
Rarely discussed clinically, but shoulder surgeons respect it: the subclavian vessels pass under its lower border, and rare clavicle displacement is restrained by its pull.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Subclavius?
A small triangular muscle tucked under the clavicle from the first rib to the bone’s inferior surface; it acts as a living cushion protecting the sternoclavicular joint during clavicular loading and gently depresses the clavicle.
Why is the Subclavius clinically important?
Rarely discussed clinically, but shoulder surgeons respect it: the subclavian vessels pass under its lower border, and rare clavicle displacement is restrained by its pull.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details