Trapezius muscle
Last revised by Francis Deng ◉ on 12 Oct 2020
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Hacking C, Deng F, Luijkx T, et al. Trapezius muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 05 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-41023
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41023
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At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresLast revised:
12 Oct 2020, Francis Deng ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Francis Deng had no recorded disclosures.
View Francis Deng's current disclosuresRevisions:
13 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
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The trapezius muscle is a large, broad superficial muscle of the posterior neck and back. It gains its name from its diamond shape. Along with sternocleidomastoid muscle, it is invested by the superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia, which splits around it.
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Summary
- origin: superior nuchal line, inion, nuchal ligament, and spinous processes of C7-T12 vertebrae
- insertion: clavicle and scapula
- innervation: accessory nerve (CN XI)
- action: complex movements of the scapula and neck
Gross anatomy
Origin
It has many origins due to its large size:
- medial third of superior nuchal line
- inion and external occipital protuberance
- nuchal ligament
- spinous processes of C7-T12 vertebrae and the corresponding supraspinous ligaments
Insertion
- clavicle: lateral third
- scapula: acromion and spine
Relations
- it lies superficial (posterior) to multiple muscles (from superior to inferior):
- semispinalis capitis
- splenius
- levator scapulae
- rhomboid minor
- rhomboid major
- latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal fascia
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Innervation
- spinal part (C2, C3) of the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) provides motor supply
- C3 and C4 spinal nerves supply pain and proprioceptive fibers
Action
- all fibers: retract the scapula medially
- upper fibers only: elevate and rotate scapula up to aid in shoulder abduction
- middle fibers only: retract scapula
- lower fibers only: depress and rotate scapula down
- upper and lower fibers together: rotate spinous process of scapula superiorly
- with the shoulders fixed:
- bilateral contraction extends neck
- unilateral contraction produces ipsilateral flexion
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. McMINN. Lasts Anatomy Regional and Applied. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE. (2003) ISBN:B0084AQDG8. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
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skeleton of the upper limb
- clavicle
- scapula
- humerus
- radius
- ulna
- hand
- accessory ossicles of the upper limb
- accessory ossicles of the shoulder
- accessory ossicles of the elbow
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accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
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pectoral girdle
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shoulder joint
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- associated structures
- joint capsule
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- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
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glenohumeral joint
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shoulder joint
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elbow joint
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wrist joint
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ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
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- radioscaphoid ligament
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- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
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- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
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- associated structures
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hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
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metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
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interphalangeal joints
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pectoral girdle
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anterior compartment of the forearm
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
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- deep
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accessory muscles
- elbow
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- volar wrist radial-side
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- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
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arteries
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- veins
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arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
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brachial plexus (mnemonic)
- branches from the roots
- branches from the trunks
- branches from the cords
- lateral cord
- posterior cord
- medial cord
- terminal branches
- lymphatic drainage of the upper limb