Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer

ABSTRACT Introduction A review of the literature shows that most studies of the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) have focused on morphological evaluation of the proximal part of the nerve. Morphometric studies contributing to clinical applications are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the topog...

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Main Authors: Beyza Celikgun, Ozcan Gayretli, Ilke Ali Gurses, Osman Coskun, Aysin Kale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70694
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author Beyza Celikgun
Ozcan Gayretli
Ilke Ali Gurses
Osman Coskun
Aysin Kale
author_facet Beyza Celikgun
Ozcan Gayretli
Ilke Ali Gurses
Osman Coskun
Aysin Kale
author_sort Beyza Celikgun
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction A review of the literature shows that most studies of the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) have focused on morphological evaluation of the proximal part of the nerve. Morphometric studies contributing to clinical applications are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the topographic and morphometric anatomy of the distal part of the DSN. Methods 13 cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, were examined bilaterally. DSN dissection was performed on the anterior surface of the levator scapulae and rhomboids, and the distance to the medial border of the scapula (MBS) was recorded at different levels. The insertion lengths of the levator scapulae and rhomboids were also measured. Results Two types of DSN were observed according to the level of termination in the muscle. Contrary to its classical course, the nerve ran laterally to the MBS on the four sides. The shortest distance between the nerve and the MBS was at the level of the superior border of the rhomboid minor (4.46 ± 9.88 mm). The insertion lengths of the levator scapulae and rhomboids according to gender and the insertion length of the rhomboid minor according to the level of termination in the muscle were significant. Discussion We have obtained results that may be useful during Eden–Lange tendon transfer. The DSN is not always located medial to the MBS, it may be located lateral to it. To avoid nerve damage, we believe it is important to identify the nerve on the anterior surface of the muscles for a successful surgery.
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spelling doaj-art-f45ddf7a6c8e4c929664d12f4f5cbaf12025-07-28T08:47:02ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-07-01157n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70694Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon TransferBeyza Celikgun0Ozcan Gayretli1Ilke Ali Gurses2Osman Coskun3Aysin Kale4Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Istanbul Health and Technology University Istanbul TurkeyDepartment of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Istanbul University Istanbul TurkeyDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Koç University Istanbul TurkeyDepartment of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Istanbul University Istanbul TurkeyDepartment of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Istanbul University Istanbul TurkeyABSTRACT Introduction A review of the literature shows that most studies of the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) have focused on morphological evaluation of the proximal part of the nerve. Morphometric studies contributing to clinical applications are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the topographic and morphometric anatomy of the distal part of the DSN. Methods 13 cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, were examined bilaterally. DSN dissection was performed on the anterior surface of the levator scapulae and rhomboids, and the distance to the medial border of the scapula (MBS) was recorded at different levels. The insertion lengths of the levator scapulae and rhomboids were also measured. Results Two types of DSN were observed according to the level of termination in the muscle. Contrary to its classical course, the nerve ran laterally to the MBS on the four sides. The shortest distance between the nerve and the MBS was at the level of the superior border of the rhomboid minor (4.46 ± 9.88 mm). The insertion lengths of the levator scapulae and rhomboids according to gender and the insertion length of the rhomboid minor according to the level of termination in the muscle were significant. Discussion We have obtained results that may be useful during Eden–Lange tendon transfer. The DSN is not always located medial to the MBS, it may be located lateral to it. To avoid nerve damage, we believe it is important to identify the nerve on the anterior surface of the muscles for a successful surgery.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70694dorsal scapular nerveEden–Langelevator scapulae musclerhomboid musclestriple tendon transfer
spellingShingle Beyza Celikgun
Ozcan Gayretli
Ilke Ali Gurses
Osman Coskun
Aysin Kale
Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
Brain and Behavior
dorsal scapular nerve
Eden–Lange
levator scapulae muscle
rhomboid muscles
triple tendon transfer
title Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
title_full Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
title_fullStr Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
title_full_unstemmed Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
title_short Surgical Anatomy of the Distal Part of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve With a Focus on the Triple‐Tendon Transfer
title_sort surgical anatomy of the distal part of the dorsal scapular nerve with a focus on the triple tendon transfer
topic dorsal scapular nerve
Eden–Lange
levator scapulae muscle
rhomboid muscles
triple tendon transfer
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70694
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