Damage to this nerve can lead to a winged scapula.

A winged scapula is considered normal posture in young children, but not older children and adults.

A winged scapula due to serratus anterior palsy is rare.

A winged scapula may also be suggestive of abnormal spinal accessory nerve function, as described above.

A winged scapula due to spinal accessory nerve damage will often be exaggerated on arm abduction.

In most cases of winged scapula, damage to the serratus anterior causes the deformation of the back.

Since there are a variety of classifications of winged scapula, there is also more than one type of treatment.

The severity and appearance of the winged scapula varies by individuals as well as the muscles and/or nerves that were affected.

An abnormal protruding inferior angle of the scapula or winged scapula can be caused by a serratus anterior paralysis.

In facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSH), the winged scapula is detected during contraction of the glenohumeral joint.

A winged scapula (scapula alata) is a condition in which the shoulder blade, or shoulder bone, protrudes from a person's back in an abnormal position.

A winged scapula is a condition in which the medial border (the side nearest the spine) of a person's scapula is abnormally positioned outward and backward.

Secondary to serratus anterior palsy, a winged scapula is also caused by trapezius and rhomboid palsy involving the accessory nerve and the dorsal scapular nerve, respectively.

Though the most common causes of a winged scapula is due to serratus anterior palsy, and less commonly trapezius and rhomboid palsy, there are still other circumstances that present the ailment.

A lesion of the nerve paralyses the serratus anterior to produce winged scapula, which is most prominent when the arm is lifted forward or when the patient pushes the outstretched arm against a wall.

Interruption of the nerve supply to the sternocleidomastoid muscle results in an asymmetric neckline, while weakness of the trapezius muscle can produce a drooping shoulder, winged scapula, and a weakness of forward elevation of the shoulder.