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Testing

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Serratus anterior can be tested in a number of ways:

  • instruct the patient to stand from just less than their arms' length away from a wall. Ask them to push against the wall. The digitations of the muscle are often seen and felt against the lateral thoracic wall, particularly in young, athletic subjects.
  • ask the patient to do a 'press-up' exercise; examine the same area

For both tests, look at the medial (vertebral) border of the scapula on both sides. Weakness of serratus anterior will result in 'winging' of the scapula.

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