When a patient abducts an arm and the ipsilateral scapula becomes more prominent (winged), this usually means that:
A) there has been an injury to the nerve of the anterior serratus muscle.
B) one of the clavicles has been fractured.
C) there is a unilateral trapezius muscle separation.
D) one shoulder is dislocated.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the long thoracic nerve is damaged or bruised, it can cause paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle and winging of the scapula, or shoulder blade. This is not a symptom of a fractured clavicle or trapezius muscle separation. A dislocated shoulder would result in a hollowing effect.

When a Patient Abducts an Arm and the Ipsilateral Scapula