pettorale

Pettorale is a term used in Italian to refer to the chest area or, in historical contexts, to a breastplate. In anatomy, it is often encountered as pettorale in plural or possessive forms to denote the pectoral muscles and related structures of the chest.

In human anatomy, the primary muscles associated with the term are the pettorale maggiore (pectoralis major) and the pettorale minore (pectoralis minor). The pettorale maggiore is a thick, fan-shaped muscle on the anterior chest. Its clavicular head originates from the medial half of the clavicle and its sternocostal head from the sternum and upper six costal cartilages; it inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus. It is innervated by the lateral and medial pectoral nerves and supplied by branches of the thoracoacromial trunk. Its actions include flexion, adduction, and medial rotation of the humerus. The pettorale minore lies beneath the major and originates from ribs 3–5, inserting on the coracoid process of the scapula. It stabilizes the scapula by drawing it anteriorly and inferiorly and is innervated by the medial pectoral nerve.

The pectoral region of the chest forms the ventral wall of the thorax and interfaces with the shoulder girdle, containing vessels such as the thoracoacromial trunk and the lateral thoracic artery. Clinically, the pectoral muscles are relevant in movements involving pushing or lifting and can be involved in conditions such as muscle strains or pectoralis minor syndrome.

Historically or in non-medical usage, pettorale may refer to a breastplate, a metal or composite plate armor piece designed to protect the chest in armor ensembles. See also pectoral, pectoral girdle, and chest wall.