Rhomboid Minor Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

Tthe rhomboid minor muscle is a small shoulder muscle that helps to elevate the scapula.

image descriptionRhomboid Minor Muscle

Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Trapezius, deltoid, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Levator scapulae, supraspinatus, infraspinatus
Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Teres minor and major
Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Insertion and origin
Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Rhomboideus minor
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Attachments of Rhomboid Minor Muscle:

image descriptionOrigin & image descriptionInsertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Spinous process of C7-T1 vertebrae.

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

Rhomboid Minor Muscle with labels: Rhomboideus minor
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Actions on the shoulder (scapula):

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

Learning muscles is hard! Simplify your learning with this handy muscle anatomy reference chart for the trunk wall.

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

Innervation of Rhomboid Minor Muscle:

  • Dorsal scapular nerve (C5).

An Overview of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle

Posterior view labeled: Origin and Insertion
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor, levator scapulae
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboid major and minor, levator scapulae, teres minor and major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, infraspinatus, teres major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, supraspinatus, teres minor and major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
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: Trapezius, deltoid, teres minor and major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Test yourself while observing the rhomboid minor muscle anatomy
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