Trapezius muscle
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Wilson Tao had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Wilson Tao's current disclosuresThe 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
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: occipital fibers insert onto the posterior aspect of the lateral third of clavicle
scapula: occipital fibers insert onto the medial acromion and superior lip of scapular spine, while the lower fibers from the T6-T12 spinous processes insert onto the medial end of the spine
Relations
-
it lies superficial (posterior) to multiple muscles (from superior to inferior):
latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal fascia
Innervation
spinal part (C1-C5 or C6) of the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) provides motor supply
branches of cervical plexus (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
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
Incoming Links
- Levator claviculae
- Bezold abscess
- Madelung disease
- Scapular retraction
- Acromioclavicular joint
- Occipital triangle
- Scapular elevation
- Third occipital nerve
- Shoulder
- Thyrocervical trunk
- Rockwood classification of acromioclavicular joint injury
- Superficial layer of the deep cervical fascia
- Supraclavicular triangle
- Posterior triangle of the neck
- Acromioclavicular joint injury
- Splenius cervicis muscle
- Scapula
- Occipital bone
- Suprascapular nerve
- Clavicle
Related articles: Anatomy: Upper limb
-
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
-
accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
- os centrale carpi
- os epilunate
- os epitriquetrum
- os styloideum
- os hamuli proprium
- lunula
- os triangulare
- trapezium secondarium
- os paratrapezium
- os radiostyloideum (persistent radial styloid)
- joints of the upper limb
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pectoral girdle
-
shoulder joint
- articulations
- associated structures
- joint capsule
- bursae
- ligaments
- movements
- scapulothoracic joint
-
glenohumeral joint
- arm flexion
- arm extension
- arm abduction
- arm adduction
- arm internal rotation (medial rotation)
- arm external rotation (lateral rotation)
- circumduction
- arterial supply - scapular anastomosis
- ossification centers
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shoulder joint
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elbow joint
- proximal radioulnar joint
- ligaments
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- movements
- alignment
- arterial supply - elbow anastomosis
- development
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wrist joint
- articulations
-
ligaments
- intrinsic ligaments
- extrinsic ligaments
- radioscaphoid ligament
- dorsal intercarpal ligament
- dorsal radiotriquetral ligament
- dorsal radioulnar ligament
- volar radioulnar ligament
- radioscaphocapitate ligament
- long radiolunate ligament
- Vickers ligament
- short radiolunate ligament
- ulnolunate ligament
- ulnotriquetral ligament
- ulnocapitate ligament
- ulnar collateral ligament
- associated structures
- extensor retinaculum
- flexor retinaculum
- joint capsule
- movements
- alignment
- ossification centers
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hand joints
- articulations
- carpometacarpal joint
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metacarpophalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
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interphalangeal joints
- palmar ligament (plate)
- collateral ligament
- movements
- ossification centers
- articulations
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pectoral girdle
- spaces of the upper limb
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- anterior compartment of the arm
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anterior compartment of the forearm
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posterior compartment of the forearm (extensors)
- superficial
- deep
- muscles of the hand
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accessory muscles
- elbow
- volar wrist midline
- palmaris longus profundus
- aberrant palmaris longus
- volar wrist radial-side
- accessory flexor digitorum superficialis indicis
- flexor indicis profundus
- flexor carpi radialis vel profundus
- accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Gantzer muscle, common)
- volar wrist ulnar-side
- dorsal wrist
- blood supply to the upper limb
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arteries
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- axillary artery
- brachial artery (proximal portion)
- ulnar artery
- radial artery
- veins
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arteries
- innervation of the upper limb
- intercostobrachial nerve
-
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
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