Pectoralis Minor: Functional Anatomy Guide

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By Alex
Last updated on

The pectoralis minor (L. pectus, chest ; minor, smaller.) is the smaller and lesser-known of the two chest muscles.

Pectoralis Minor

It helps stabilize the scapula and is the prime mover in scapular downward rotation. It’s involved in other scapular movements, which I’ll cover later.

It is technically classified as part of the anterior axioappendicular muscle group.

It’s a common misconception that the pectoralis minor is the “upper chest.” However, the upper chest is actually the clavicular head of the pectoralis major.

The pectoralis minor is not even a visible part of the physique. It lies deep to the pec major and upper fibers of the serratus anterior.

From this broad origin on ribs 3, 4 and 5, its parallel-oriented fibers extend superolaterally and converge as they insert on the upper outer shoulder blade. This can be described as a fan-shaped or radiate fiber orientation.

Also Called

  • Pec minor
  • Chest

Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve Supply

Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve Supply
Pectoralis Minor Anterior surface of ribs 3-5, just lateral to the costal cartilages Medial border and superior surface of the coracoid process of the scapula
  • Scapular stability
  • Scapular downward rotation
  • Scapular protraction
  • Scapular depression
Medial pectoral nerve (C8-T1)

Exercises:

Note: There is no such thing as a “pectoralis minor exercise” per say – that is, no exercise targets it directly. However, the pectoralis minor is trained indirectly in different exercises, namely:

  • All latissimus dorsi exercises.
  • Some pec major exercises, specifically those involving scapular protraction and/or scapular downward rotation (i.e. different variations of the dip, chest fly)
  • Some serratus anterior exercises, specifically those that don’t involve an incline or overhead arm position (e.g. flat bench shoulder raise or scap push up).

Stretches & Myofascial Release Techniques:

Stretches

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Self Myofascial Release Techniques

When using these techniques, give special attention to the trigger point shown in the image below.

pectoralis minor trigger point

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Common Issues:

  • Overactive/Short Pectoralis Minor: The pectoralis minor is at least somewhat overactive/short in most people due to spending so much time in hunched-over, shoulders-forward positions (e.g. typing on a laptop, texting on phone, playing video games). This is intensified among weight trainees, who typically do much more training with push exercises than pull exercises. And when they do perform pull exercises, they tend to emphasize vertical pulls over horizontal pulls. All of these movements favor the pec minor, causing it to become even more overactive/shorter. Over time, a postural distortion called upper crossed syndrome (UCS) will likely occur. The overactive/short pec minor causes scapular anterior tilt and scapular protraction, which reciprocally inhibits the rhomboids, lower traps and serratus anterior. This muscle imbalance results in poor thoracic extension and limited scapular upward rotation, which reduces overhead range of motion. It also causes poor scapular retraction, which impairs the ability to perform horizontal pull movements correctly. If not corrected, rotator cuff injuries and neck pain are common. Thoracic outlet syndrome may also occur if the pec minor compresses the brachial plexus.

Training Notes:

  1. If you have overactive/short pec minor, do the following:
    • Decrease your chest and lat training volume in your routine by cutting out ? to ½ of your sets for each muscle.
    • If you lack full overhead range of motion, replace vertical push exercises (e.g. barbell overhead press) with high-incline exercises (e.g. 75° incline barbell press).
    • Be mindful of your posture. Minimize the time you spend sitting or standing in a hunched-over position. If you have to be on a computer all day for work and can’t maintain good posture at all times, be sure to get out of that position and briefly stretch your pecs if possible, every 20-30 minutes.
    • Release and stretch your pectoralis minor and pectoralis major everyday, and as part of your warm up before any upper body training.
    • Increase your training volume on horizontal pull exercises (e.g. seated cable row, bent over shrug) by doubling the number of sets you’re currently performing, per week. Add in a few sets of direct lower trapezius exercises (e.g. prone cobra, Y raise), since the lower traps only get hit indirectly the horizontal pull exercises.
    • If you have upper crossed syndrome, the above bullet points will only help so much. See how to fix upper crossed syndrome (article coming soon) for a complete solution.
  2. There is no need to do try to strengthen or build up the pec minor, except in the rare case that you’re told to do so by a physical therapist as treatment for a specific injury or condition. For everyone else, this would very likely cause or exacerbate the common issues associated with a overactive/short pec minor.
Alex from King of the Gym
Author
Hey! My name is Alex and I'm the founder and author of King of the Gym. I've been lifting weights seriously since 2005 in high school when I started a home gym in my parents' basement. I started writing about fitness in 2009. Then, in 2014, I got into writing home gym equipment reviews and I haven't looked back. My current home gym is in my own house and it's constantly growing and evolving. My goal is to help you build the home gym of your dreams! Read more about me here.

10 thoughts on “Pectoralis Minor: Functional Anatomy Guide”

  1. Hi Alex,

    Do you think that an underdeveloped or shorter pec minor could contribute to an imbalance in pectoral development ie. left pectoral being better formed than the right? If so, what exercises would you recommend to sort an imbalance?

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Yes, absolutely. For starters, tight pec minor pulls the front delt down and inwards. This action results in your front delt doing more work than it should in all pressing movements. Then, your shoulder blade might experience some winging, which will screw up your shoulder.
      Additionally, it will also cause issues with the lats and possibly even your hips.
      I’ve been battling pec imbalance my entire life and after 25 years I may have finally figured it out (my issue was tight pec minor, extremely tight lat and teres major).

      Reply
    • Tony,

      I’ve had similar comments/messages about this. I’ve bumped this article up in priority–I’ll likely have it written and published by early next year. Be sure to subscribe to my list to make sure you’re notified when I post it–You can subscribe here: https://www.kingofthegym.com/myx8/

      Best,
      Alex

      Reply
  2. I like your site, and found useful info as a trainer. The stretches and myofascial release section says that pictures are coming soon. Please add them ASAP as they would be very helpful. thanks, Beth

    Reply
    • Thanks, Beth! This is definitely on my to-do list for all of the anatomy articles. I’m actually finishing up my home gym right now, which I’ll be able to use to take photos.

      Reply
    • Hi Andreas, I haven’t written that article. However, due to popular demand, I plan on writing an upper crossed syndrome / posture eBook product on that topic in the future. Be sure to sign up to my newsletter to get a notification when I eventually come out with that.

      Reply
  3. dude, why haven’t you replied scott? it’s been 2 years and you’ve replied the others. im also having the same problem as him and i’d appreciate it if you could answer his question thank you.

    Reply
    • Between this site and a full time job, I only have so much time, Marc. To answer your question, work on releasing your pec minor first and foremost on the affect side. My favorite technique is putting lacrosse ball against it by leaning into a half-wall. Do this at least once a day, every day for 1+ minute at a time. Roll it around to find the tender areas and hold it there–some scapular movement during this can help too.

      As for during training, to grow the smaller pec major muscle, I like doing unilateral chest flies on the cable crossover (one arm at a time). Do 1-2 more sets on your weaker/smaller side. I recommend rolling on your affected pec minor before doing this, to calm that muscle down so that your pec major can work better. Also, be conscious of your positioning — Keep your chest “open” during this exercise (and other chest exercises); shoulder back, chest up and try to activate your serratus anterior a bit to help with scapular position to keep the chest up and open during the fly movement.

      Best of luck in evening things out.

      Regards,
      Alex

      Reply

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