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The trapezius and scalene muscles are both cervical muscles, meaning they are located in the neck. The trapezius muscles are two large muscles on either side of the upper back, which help with head, neck and upper back movement, as well as maintaining and adjusting posture. The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, named anterior, middle and posterior. They are involved in lifting the ribs and bending the neck, and also act as accessory muscles of respiration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Trapezius Muscles | 2 |
| Trapezius Muscle Shape | Trapezoid or Diamond |
| Trapezius Muscle Sections | 3 |
| Trapezius Muscle Function | Support the body and help with movement |
| Trapezius Muscle Attachments | Skull, Spine, Ribs, Shoulder Blades, Collarbone |
| Trapezius Muscle Nerve | Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory Nerve) |
| Trapezius Muscle Pain Causes | Overuse, Injuries, Nerve Damage, Stress, Strains |
| Number of Scalene Muscles | 3 |
| Scalene Muscle Names | Anterior, Middle, Posterior |
| Scalene Muscle Nerves | Cervical Nerves C3-C8 |
| Scalene Muscle Function | Lift Ribs, Bend and Tilt Neck |
| Scalene Muscle Attachments | Vertebrae C2-C7, First and Second Ribs |
| Scalene Muscle Issues | Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome |
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What You'll Learn
- The trapezius muscle is involved in head, neck and shoulder movements
- The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck
- Trapezius muscles are two big muscles on either side of the upper back
- The scalene muscles are named after the Greek word for 'uneven'
- The trapezius muscle is the only upper limb muscle without innervation from the brachial plexus
The trapezius muscle is involved in head, neck and shoulder movements
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular-shaped muscle in the upper back. It starts at the back of the head and neck, extends across the shoulders, and down the middle of the back. The trapezius muscle is involved in head, neck, and shoulder movements, and is also important for maintaining posture.
The upper trapezius, which goes across the tops of the shoulders, can elevate or bring up the shoulder girdle. It also helps extend, tilt, and rotate the neck, bringing the head back, to the side, or turning it to the opposite side. The upper trapezius also helps rotate the shoulder blade upward when you lift your arm up and out to the side.
The middle trapezius helps bring the shoulder blades back toward the spine, which can help prevent or manage excessive kyphotic (rounding of the upper back) posture. It also helps stabilize the shoulder during certain arm movements.
The lower trapezius muscle performs the opposite action of the upper trapezius, bringing the shoulder girdle down. It is also involved in the upper and mid-spine stabilizing action.
The trapezius muscle is susceptible to injury, with common causes of trapezius muscle pain including overuse, injuries, and nerve damage. Symptoms of trapezius injuries include limited mobility, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, neck and shoulder stiffness, and swelling or bruising in the shoulders, neck, or back.
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The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck
The scalenes used to be known as the lateral vertebral muscles. The anterior scalene muscle (scalenus anterior) lies deeply at the side of the neck, behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third to the sixth cervical vertebrae. The middle scalene, or scalenus medius, is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae. It is supplied by the anterior ramus of cervical nerve 5 and 6. The posterior scalene, or scalenus posterior, is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises by two or three separate tendons from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fourth to the sixth cervical vertebrae.
The scalene muscles have an important relationship with other structures in the neck. The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalenes, and this area is sometimes targeted with the administration of regional anaesthesia before arm or shoulder surgery. The scalene hiatus is constituted by the passing of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery through the space of the anterior and middle scalene muscles. The scalene muscles can be involved in certain forms of thoracic outlet syndrome, as well as myofascial pain syndrome, which may mimic a spinal disc herniation of the cervical vertebrae.
The trapezius muscles, on the other hand, are two large muscles on either side of the upper back, which help move the head, neck, and upper back, as well as maintain and adjust posture. They are triangular and paired, forming a diamond or trapezoid shape, and are therefore named after the trapezoid, a four-sided shape with two parallel sides. The upper trapezius arises from the occipital bone in the back of the skull and the nuchal line in the back of the neck. The upper trapezius can elevate or bring up the shoulder girdle, extend, tilt, and rotate the neck, bringing the head back, to the side, and turning it. The middle trapezius helps bring the shoulder blades back towards the spine and stabilizes the shoulder during certain arm movements. The lower trapezius brings the shoulder girdle down. The trapezius muscles are supplied by the cranial nerve XI (the spinal accessory nerve).
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Trapezius muscles are two big muscles on either side of the upper back
The trapezius muscles are two large muscles found on either side of the upper back. They are superficial skeletal muscles, and part of the musculoskeletal system. They are named after their shape, which resembles a trapezoid or kite. The trapezius muscles are essential for movement and support. They help with head, neck, and upper back movement, and are crucial for maintaining and adjusting posture.
The trapezius muscles have three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The upper trapezius is involved in extending, tilting, and rotating the neck, and elevating the shoulder girdle. It also helps with rotating the head to the opposite side. The middle trapezius helps bring the shoulder blades back towards the spine, aiding in preventing or managing excessive kyphotic posture. The lower trapezius brings the shoulder girdle down and helps with upper and mid-spine stabilisation.
The trapezius muscles are susceptible to overuse, injuries, and nerve damage, which can cause pain. Trapezius muscle strain occurs when the muscle is stretched too far, and in severe cases, surgery may be required. Other symptoms of trapezius issues include limited mobility, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, neck and shoulder stiffness, and swelling or bruising in the shoulders, neck, or back.
The trapezius muscles have several attachment points. The upper trapezius arises from the occipital bone at the back of the skull and the nuchal line in the neck. It also has attachments to the cervical levels via the ligamentum nuchae. The middle trapezius attaches to the upper part of the spinous processes of C7-T12. The lower trapezius attaches to the lower part of C7-T12. The trapezius muscles are served by the spinal accessory nerve or cranial nerve XI, which provides motor input.
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The scalene muscles are named after the Greek word for 'uneven'
The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, identified as the anterior, the middle, and the posterior. They are named after the Greek word "σκαληνός" (pronounced: skalēnós), which means "uneven", as the pairs are all of differing lengths.
The scalene muscles are attached at one end to bony protrusions on vertebrae C2 to C7 and, at the other end, to the first and second ribs. The anterior scalene muscle (Latin: scalenus anterior) lies deeply at the side of the neck, behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It arises from the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebrae. Descending almost vertically, it is inserted by a narrow, flat tendon into the scalene tubercle on the inner border of the first rib. The middle scalene, or scalenus medius (Latin), is the largest and longest of the three scalene muscles. It arises from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the lower six cervical vertebrae and descends along the side of the vertebral column to insert into the upper surface of the first rib. The posterior scalene, or scalenus posterior (Latin), is the smallest and most deeply seated of the scalene muscles. It arises by two or three separate tendons from the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the fourth, fifth, and sixth cervical vertebrae and is inserted by a thin tendon into the outer surface of the second rib, behind the attachment of the anterior scalene.
The scalene muscles have an important relationship with other structures in the neck. The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalenes, while the subclavian vein and phrenic nerve pass anteriorly to the anterior scalene as the muscle crosses over the first rib. The phrenic nerve is oriented vertically, while the subclavian vein is oriented horizontally as it passes in front of the anterior scalene muscle. The passing of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery through the space of the anterior and middle scalene muscles constitute the scalene hiatus (or scalene fissure). The region in which this lies is referred to as the scalotracheal fossa. It is bounded by the clavicle inferior anteriorly, the trachea medially, the trapezius posteriorly, and the platysma muscle anteriorly.
The trapezius muscles, on the other hand, are two large muscles on either side of the upper back. They are named after their shape, as they form a trapezoid (a four-sided shape with two parallel sides) when viewed together. The upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles help with various movements, including turning the head, maintaining posture, twisting the torso, and moving the shoulders.
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The trapezius muscle is the only upper limb muscle without innervation from the brachial plexus
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. It is a superficial back muscle that resembles a trapezoid. The trapezius gets its name from its shape, as when viewed together, the pair forms a diamond or trapezoid. The trapezius muscles are two big muscles on either side of the upper back, which help move the head, neck, and upper back, and maintain and adjust posture. The trapezius muscles have three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The upper trapezius, which goes across the tops of the shoulders, can elevate or bring up the shoulder girdle. It also helps extend, tilt, and rotate the neck, bringing the head back, to the side, and turning it. The middle trapezius helps bring the shoulder blades back, toward the spine, and the lower trapezius muscle is tasked with the upper and mid-spine stabilizing action of bringing the shoulder girdle down.
The trapezius is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. Instead, motor innervation to the trapezius is conveyed by the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) or cranial nerve XI, which arises from the brain stem and travels from the skull down to the trapezius muscle, providing motor input. The ventral rami of C3 and C4 innervate the sensory functions of the trapezius. The scalene muscles, on the other hand, are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, identified as the anterior, middle, and posterior, which are innervated by the third to the eighth cervical spinal nerves (C3-C8). The brachial plexus and subclavian artery pass between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, constituting the scalene hiatus.
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Frequently asked questions
The trapezius muscles are two large muscles on either side of your upper back. They help you move your head, neck and upper back, and maintain and adjust your posture.
The scalene muscles are a group of three muscles on each side of the neck, identified as the anterior, middle, and posterior. They are named after the Greek word "skalēnós", meaning uneven, as the pairs are all of differing lengths.
The trapezius muscles help with several movements, including turning your head to either side, twisting your torso, shrugging your shoulders, and moving your shoulder blades. They also help with breathing by opening up a small amount of breathing room in the upper chest area.
The anterior and middle scalene muscles lift the first rib and bend the neck to the side they are on. The posterior scalene lifts the second rib and tilts the neck to the same side.
Issues with the trapezius and scalene muscles can include muscle strains, tears, spasms, and pain. These issues can be caused by overuse, injuries, nerve damage, stress, or poor posture.
