Trapezius Muscle

Description

The anatomy of the occipital triangle, the greater occipital nerve and lesser occipital nerve, occipital artery (and veins), and lymph nodes can be accessed in an area between the proximal edge of the trapezius medially, the nuchal line proximally, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle laterally

Name

• Trapezius
• Traps
• Trap muscles
• Cowl muscle
• Musculus trapezius
• Trapezius muscle
• Upper trapezius
• Middle trapezius
• Lower trapezius
• Descending fibers of trapezius
• Transverse fibers of trapezius
• Ascending fibers of trapezius
• Upper back muscle
• Shoulder girdle muscle

General

• Broad, flat triangular muscle of the upper back and neck
• Plays a role in shoulder/neck movements, posture and stability

Origin

• External Occipital protuberance
• Spinous process of vertebrae C7-T12
• Nuchal Ligament
• Occipital bone

Insertion

• Nuchal ligament
• Posterior boarder of the lateral 1/3 of the Clavicle
• Acromion Process
• Spine of Scapula

Actions

• Rotation, retraction, elevation and depression of Scapula

Vascular Supply

• Superficial Branch of Transverse Cervical Artery
• Superficial Cervical Artery

Innervation

• Spinal Accessory Nerve
• Cervical spinal nerves C3, C4

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Clinical Significance

• Winged Scapula
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome

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See Also

Shoulder

• Physical Exam Shoulder
• Shoulder Anatomy (Main)
• Shoulder Pain (Main)

Neck

• Physical Exam Neck
• Neck Anatomy (Main)
• Neck Pain (Main)

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