C5, C6, C7 Raise Your Wings to Heaven

Mnemonic

“C5, 6, 7 raise your arm to heaven”, for the long thoracic nerve.

• C5, C6, C7 - the roots of the long thoracic nerve
• It supplies serratus anterior, which protracts the scapula and holds it against the chest wall
• Injury therefore causes a winged scapula and loss of abduction beyond 90 degrees, which is why the arm can no longer be raised “to heaven”

The nerve arises from the roots, before the trunks, which is why it can be spared in an upper trunk injury and why it is vulnerable during axillary surgery.

Expansion

• C5, C6, C7 - the three roots of the long thoracic nerve

The phrase “C5, 6, 7 raise your wings to heaven” links the root value to serratus anterior. When the nerve is damaged the scapula “wings” away from the chest wall, so the wings can no longer lift the arm to heaven.