Alec Titan
The trapezius muscle is a large muscle that runs from the neck to the upper back. It is named after its trapezoid shape and is responsible for a variety of movements, including those of the head, neck, and shoulders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Trapezoid or triangular |
| Location | Posterior aspect of the neck and thorax |
| Function | Stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move |
| Innervation | Accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves |
| Arterial supply | Transverse muscular branches arising from the occipital artery |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The trapezius muscle is large, triangular and paired, forming a diamond or trapezoid shape
- It is located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax
- The trapezius is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus
- It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move
- The trapezius has three sections: superior, middle and inferior
The trapezius muscle is large, triangular and paired, forming a diamond or trapezoid shape
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. 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 accessory nerve (CN XI) as well as the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves, which also contain proprioceptive/sensory fibres from the muscle.
The trapezius is a large, paired, trapezoid-shaped surface muscle that extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It moves the scapula and supports the arm. The trapezius muscle resembles a trapezium, also known as a diamond-shaped quadrilateral. The word spinotrapezius refers to the human trapezius, although it is not commonly used in modern texts.
The trapezius, or traps muscle, is a muscle in the upper back. It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move. The trapezius is large and triangular, extending to the width of the shoulders and running from the skull to the thoracic spine, in the middle of the back. It has three sections: the superior, middle, and inferior segment, and each plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders.
The trapezius muscle is part of the superficial layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back, along with the latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major and minor, and levator scapulae muscles. The trapezius is largely involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and is therefore functionally considered a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back.
Cali Muscle: How Tall Are These Fitness Models?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. 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 accessory nerve (CN XI) as well as the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves, which also contain proprioceptive/sensory fibres from the muscle. The trapezius is largely involved in movements of the shoulder girdle, and is therefore functionally considered as a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back. The trapezius extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It moves the scapula and supports the arm. The trapezius has three sections: the superior, middle, and inferior segment, and each plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders.
Kali Muscle's Height: How Tall Is He?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The trapezius is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. The trapezius is largely involved in movements of the shoulder girdle, and is therefore functionally considered as a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back.
The trapezius is innervated for motor functions by the spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI). Shoulder range of motion (ROM) with cephalad motion of the shoulders – shrugging – is a common physical exam manoeuvre to test CN XI. The trapezius has three sections, the superior, middle, and inferior segment, and each plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders. The upper fibres elevate the scapulae, the middle fibres retract the scapulae, and the lower fibres depress the scapulae.
The arterial supply to trapezius varies depending on the level. The descending (upper) part of the muscle is supplied by transverse muscular branches arising from the occipital artery (branch of the external carotid), which passes along the deep surface of the muscle. At its occipital origin, the trapezius is connected to the bone by a thin fibrous lamina, firmly adherent to the skin.
Ultrasound Technology: Muscle Damage Detection and Treatment
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. The muscle is involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and is therefore considered a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back.
The trapezius is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. Instead, it is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves. The trapezius also contains proprioceptive/sensory fibres.
The trapezius has three sections: superior, middle, and inferior. Each section plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders. For example, the superior trapezius can be felt when holding a weight in one hand in front of the body and touching the area between the shoulder and the neck with the other hand.
The trapezius muscle is a key stabiliser of the shoulders and enabler of neck movement. It extends to the width of the shoulders and runs from the skull to the thoracic spine in the middle of the back.
Ultrasound Imaging: Muscle Inflammation Detection and Treatment
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The trapezius has three sections: superior, middle and inferior
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. When viewed together, this pair forms a diamond or trapezoid shape, hence its name. The trapezius has three sections: superior, middle and inferior.
The superior or upper (or descending) fibres of the trapezius originate from the spinous process of C7, the external occipital protuberance, the medial third of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone (both in the back of the head), and the ligamentum nuchae. At its occipital origin, the trapezius is connected to the bone by a thin fibrous lamina, firmly adherent to the skin.
The middle section of the trapezius is connected to the spinous processes by a broad semi-elliptical aponeurosis, which reaches from the sixth cervical to the third thoracic vertebrae and forms, with that of the opposite muscle, a tendinous ellipse. The rest of the muscle arises by numerous short tendinous fibres.
The trapezius muscle 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 accessory nerve (CN XI) as well as the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves, which also contain proprioceptive/sensory fibres from the muscle. The descending (upper) part of the muscle is supplied by transverse muscular branches arising from the occipital artery (a branch of the external carotid), which passes along the deep surface of the muscle.
Exploring the Ear: Muscles and Their Functions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular, paired muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. It is involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and neck.
The trapezius muscle is shaped like a trapezium, or diamond-shaped quadrilateral. It has three sections: the superior, middle, and inferior segment.
The trapezius muscle is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. Instead, it is innervated by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves.
