Deep pectoral muscle
Musculus pectoralis profundus
Draws the limb toward the midline and pulls the trunk forward over the planted limb.
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Trunk
- Sides
- Paired: left and right

Where it runs from and to
A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.
- Origin
- Lateral halves of the first six sternebrae, sometimes the xiphoid process.
- Insertion
- The humerus along its proximal shaft and greater tubercle.
- Action
- Draws the limb toward the midline and pulls the trunk forward over the planted limb.
- Nerve
- Caudal pectoral nerves.
Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the cat; the books it was checked against are listed below.
Terminology
- English
- Deep pectoral muscle
- Latin (NAV)
- Musculus pectoralis profundus
- Status
- A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria
Read next
- Cutaneous muscle of the trunkSame region
- External oblique muscle of the abdomenSame region
- Intersternebral joint 2Same region
- Intersternebral joint 3Same region
- Intersternebral joint 4Same region
- Intersternebral joint 5Same region
- Manubriosternal jointSame region
- ManubriumSame region
- Rib 1Same region
- Rib 13Same region
- Thoracic part of the trapezius muscleSame region
- Xiphoid processSame region