There are numerous ways in which the long thoracic nerve can sustain trauma-induced injury.

The long thoracic nerve travels inferiorly on the surface of the serratus.

This is typically caused by damage (i.e. lesions) to the long thoracic nerve.

Bell's (external respiratory) nerve: The long thoracic nerve.

The long thoracic nerve innervates serratus anterior.

The long thoracic nerve can also be damaged during surgery for breast cancer, specifically radical mastectomies that involve removal of axillary lymph nodes.

Serratus anterior palsy is a dysfunction that is characteristic of traumatic, non-traumatic, and idiopathic injury to the long thoracic nerve.

The long thoracic nerve (external respiratory nerve of Bell; posterior thoracic nerve) supplies the serratus anterior.

The serratus anterior is innervated by the long thoracic nerve (Nerve of Bell), a branch of the brachial plexus.

The long thoracic nerve innervates the serratus anterior; therefore, damage to or impingement of this nerve can result in weakening or paralysis of the muscle.

Clinical treatments may also cause injury to the long thoracic nerve (iatrogenesis from forceful manipulation, mastectomies with axillary node dissection, surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, post-general anesthesia for various clinical reasons, and electrical shock, amongst others).

Non-traumatic induced injury to the long thoracic nerve includes, but is not limited to, causes such as viral illness (e.g. influenza, tonsillitis-bronchitis, polio), allergic-drug reactions, drug overdose, toxic exposure (e.g. herbicides, tetanus), C7 radiculopathy, and coarctation of the aorta.