A muscle of the upper trunk originating on the first eight or nine ribs and inserted on the anterior surface of the vertebral border and inferior angle of the scapula. It keeps the scapula in position close to the chest wall, abducts the scapula, and turns it upward to raise the point of the shoulder. If the scapula is fixed, the serratus anterior can elevate the ribs. The serratus anterior is controlled by the long thoracic nerve.