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The trapezius, or traps, are muscles in the upper back that stabilise the shoulders and enable the neck to move. They are involved in nearly every movement you make with your upper body, and are used when you shrug or pull your shoulders back. The trapezius is large and triangular, extending to the width of the shoulders and running from the skull to the thoracic spine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Trapezius, Trapezoid, or Traps |
| Location | Upper back |
| Function | Stabilises the shoulders, enables neck movement, moves the shoulders, lifts arms out to the side, protects the neck and spine |
| Shape | Large and triangular |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Sections | Superior, Middle, Inferior |
| Range of Motion | Involved in nearly every movement of the upper body |
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What You'll Learn
Trapezius muscles are skeletal muscles
The trapezius muscles, also known as traps or trap muscles, are skeletal muscles. They are part of the musculoskeletal system and are located in the upper back. The trapezius muscles are large and triangular, extending to the width of the shoulders and running from the skull to the thoracic spine. They have three sections: the superior, middle, and inferior segment, and each plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders.
The trapezius muscles are involved in nearly every movement of the upper body. They move the shoulders, lift the arms out to the side, and protect the neck and spine. They are also important for posture and can be used to shrug or pull the shoulders back.
The upper trapezius muscle originates from the base of the neck and extends across the top of the shoulder. It is the smallest part of the traps.
Pain in the trapezius muscles is usually felt as acute and severe pain in the upper back, neck, and shoulder, often spreading to neighbouring muscles. Certain stretches can help ease this pain and keep movement flexible.
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They are part of the musculoskeletal system
People commonly refer to trapezius muscles as 'traps' or 'trap muscles'. They are part of the musculoskeletal system and are skeletal (superficial) muscles. The trapezius is a large, triangular muscle in the upper back, extending to the width of the shoulders and running from the skull to the thoracic spine. It has three sections: superior, middle and inferior. Each section plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders. For example, the trapezius moves the shoulders, lifts the arms out to the side, and protects the neck and spine. You use your trapezius muscles when you shrug or pull your shoulders back. They are involved in nearly every movement you make with your upper body, and when they are strained or overstretched, you could lose your upper body range of motion and struggle to maintain an upright posture.
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They are involved in nearly every movement of the upper body
The trapezius, or 'traps', muscle is a large, triangular muscle in the upper back. It is involved in nearly every movement of the upper body. It stabilises the shoulders, moves the neck and lifts the arms out to the side. It also plays a role in protecting the neck and spine.
The trapezius has three sections: the superior, middle and inferior segment. Each of these sections has a unique set of functions, range of motions and symptoms. The upper trapezius muscle originates from the base of the neck and extends across the top of the shoulder. It is the smallest part of the traps.
The trapezius muscle is a skeletal muscle and is part of the musculoskeletal system. It is possible to palpate it with your fingers to find and resolve tensions and trigger points.
When the trapezius muscle is strained or overstretched, you could lose your upper body range of motion and struggle to maintain an upright posture.
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They can be strained or overstretched
The trapezius, trapezoid, or traps muscle is a muscle in the upper back. It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move. Traps are involved in nearly every movement you make with your upper body. They move the shoulders, lift arms out to the side, and protect the neck and spine. You use them when you shrug or pull your shoulders back.
Traps can be strained or overstretched. When this happens, you could lose your upper body range of motion and struggle to maintain an upright posture. Pain in the traps is usually felt as acute and severe pain in the upper back, neck, and shoulder, often spreading to neighbouring muscles.
The traps are skeletal muscles and are part of your musculoskeletal system. They have three sections: the superior, middle, and inferior segment, and each plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders. The upper trapezius muscle originates from the base of your neck and extends across the top of your shoulder. It is the smallest part of the traps.
Certain stretches can help ease pain and keep movement flexible. Since you can feel your traps right under your skin, it’s possible to palpate it with your fingers to find and resolve tensions and trigger points.
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They have three segments: superior, middle and inferior
The trapezius muscle, also known as the trapezoid or traps muscle, is a large, triangular muscle in the upper back. It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move. The trapezius has three segments: superior, middle and inferior. Each segment plays a role in specific movements of the neck and shoulders. The upper trapezius muscle originates from the base of the neck and extends across the top of the shoulder. It is the smallest part of the traps. 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 muscle also has attachments to the spinous processes of cervical levels one through six via the ligamentum nuchae.
The traps are involved in nearly every movement you make with your upper body. They move the shoulders, lift the arms out to the side, and protect the neck and spine. You use them when you shrug or pull your shoulders back.
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Frequently asked questions
The traps muscles, or trapezius muscles, are skeletal muscles in the upper back.
The traps muscles stabilise the shoulders and enable the neck to move. They are involved in nearly every movement you make with your upper body.
Strained traps muscles can cause pain in the upper back, neck and shoulder, and can spread to neighbouring muscles. Straining or overstretching the traps muscles can also cause you to lose your upper body range of motion and struggle to maintain an upright posture.
Certain stretches can help to ease pain in the traps muscles and keep movement flexible. It is also possible to palpate the traps muscles with your fingers to find and resolve tensions and trigger points.
