Trapezius Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The trapezius muscle is a large, diamond-shaped muscle that covers the neck and shoulder area.

image descriptionTrapezius Muscle

Posterior view labeled: Trapezius, deltoid, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapular, supraspinatus, infraspinatus
Posterior view labeled: Teres minor and major
Posterior view labeled: Rhomboideus minor and major
Posterior view labeled: Trapezius muscle
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image descriptionAttachments of Trapezius Muscle: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Medial superior nuchal line and external protuberance of occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae and spinous process of C7-T12.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a. Lateral clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula.

Learn the anatomy of the trapezius muscle faster with this trunk wall muscle reference chart.

Posterior view labeled: Trapezius muscle
Posterior view labeled: Origin and Insertion
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Actions on the shoulder (scapula):

a. Upper fibers image descriptionelevate scapula.

b. Upper fibers image descriptionupwardly rotate scapula.

c. image descriptionExtend neck.

d. Middle fibers image descriptionadduct (retract) scapula.

e. Lower fibers scapula.

f. Lower fibers help upper fibers image descriptionupwardly scapula.

Innervation of Trapezius Muscle:

  • C3, C4 and accessory cranial nerve (XI).

An Overview of the Trapezius Muscle

Posterior view labeled: Trapezius, deltoid, 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: Levator scapulae, supraspinatus, teres major and minor, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, infraspinatus, teres major, triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, rhomboideus major and minor, teres major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, rhomboideus minor and major, teres major, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, rhomboideus minor and major, teres major
Posterior view labeled: Levator scapulae, rhomboideus minor and major, teres minor
Posterior view labeled: Trapezius, rhomboideus minor and major, teres major, latissimus dorsi
Posterior view labeled: Rhomdoideus minor and major
Posterior view labeled: Rhomdoideus minor
Posterior view labeled: Trapezius
Posterior view labeled: Insertion and origin
Posterior view labeled: Trapezius, deltoid, 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
Test yourself while observing the trapezius muscle anatomy
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Muscles That Act On The Posterior Shoulder

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