Rhomboid Major Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The rhomboid major is a shoulder muscle that helps move and stabilize the scapula during movements.

image descriptionRhomboid Major Muscle

Rhomboid Major Muscle view with labels: Trapezius, deltoid, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Rhomboid Major Muscle posterior view with labels: Levator scapulae, supraspinatus and infraspinatus
Rhomboid Major Muscle view with labels: Teres major and minor
Rhomboid Major Muscle posterior view with labels: Rhomboideus major and minor
Rhomboid Major Muscle with labels: Rhomboideus major
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image descriptionAttachments of Rhomboid Major Muscle: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Spinous process of T2-T5 vertabrae.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a. Medial border of scapula inferior to spina scapulae.

Rhomboid Major Muscle with labels: Rhomboideus major
Rhomboid Major Muscle with labels: Origin and Insertion
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Actions on the shoulder (scapula):

image descriptiona. Retracts the medial border of scapula while it downwardly rotates the lateral angle.

image descriptionb. Elevates the medial border of scapula while it downwardly rotates the lateral angle.

Learn the muscles of the human body with ease thanks to these time-saving muscle anatomy reference charts. 

Innervation of Rhomboid Major Muscle:

  • Dorsal scapular nerve (C5).

An Overview of the Rhomboid Major Muscle

Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, trapezius, deltoid, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, trapezius, deltoid, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, supraspinatus, teres minor and major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, infraspinatus, teres major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor, levator scapulae
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major and minor
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus major
Posterior view labeled: Origin and Insertion
Rhomboid Major Muscle with labels: Origin and Insertion
Rhomboid Major Muscle with labels: Rhomboideus major
Test yourself while observing theRhomboid Major Muscle anatomy
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