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The trapezius muscles are two large muscles in the upper back that help maintain posture and move the upper back, neck, and head. The upper trapezius, which goes across the tops of the shoulders, helps elevate the shoulder girdle and rotate the neck and head. The lower trapezius works with the serratus anterior to rotate the scapula upward during arm elevation. The rhomboids (major and minor) and levator scapulae also work closely with the trapezius to stabilize the scapula and move the shoulders. Problems with the trapezius are rare but may occur due to injury, overuse, stress, or poor posture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number | Two large muscles in the upper back |
| Shape | Large, triangular, paired, trapezoid-shaped |
| Function | Helps maintain posture and move the upper back, neck, and head |
| Attachments | Occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae, cervical levels one through six, scapula, clavicle, spine |
| Innervation | Accessory nerve (CN XI), anterior rami of C3 and C4 spinal nerves |
| Blood Supply | Arterial supply varies depending on the level |
| Pain Causes | Overuse, stress, poor posture, injury, pinched nerve in the spine |
| Associated Muscles | Rhomboids, levator scapulae, serratus anterior |
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What You'll Learn
- The trapezius is a large, triangular, paired muscle
- It is located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax
- The muscle helps with posture and movement
- It is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus
- The trapezius is made up of three sections: superior, middle, and inferior
The trapezius is a large, triangular, paired muscle
The trapezius has many attachment points, extending from the skull and vertebral column to the shoulder girdle. The muscle has three sections: upper, middle, and lower. The upper trapezius arises from the occipital bone in the back of the skull and the nuchal line in the back of the neck. It also has attachments to the spinous processes of cervical levels one through six via the ligamentum nuchae. The middle fibres retract the scapulae, while the lower fibres depress the scapulae. The lower fibres arise from the spinous processes of the remaining thoracic vertebrae (T4–T12). The upper fibres can also elevate the scapulae.
The trapezius is involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and is considered a muscle of the upper limb rather than of the back. It moves the scapula and supports the arm. The trapezius helps with scapular retraction and adduction, and abduction of the shoulder above 90 degrees. The muscle also helps with neck extension and rotation, and it assists in maintaining posture and moving the upper back, neck, and head.
The trapezius is a muscle that is used a lot throughout the day, although it is less commonly injured than other muscles. However, issues with the trapezius can cause pain between the shoulder blades, limited mobility, muscle spasms, and neck and shoulder stiffness.
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It is located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax
The trapezius muscle is a large, paired trapezoid-shaped muscle located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax. It extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. The upper trapezius arises from the occipital bone in the back of the skull and the nuchal line in the back of the neck. It also has attachments to the spinous processes of cervical levels one through six via the ligamentum nuchae. The ligamentum nuchae connects the trapezius to the occipital bone.
The trapezius muscle is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. Instead, motor innervation is conveyed by the accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves. These nerves also contain proprioceptive/sensory fibres from the muscle. The trapezius is a skeletal (superficial) muscle and is part of the musculoskeletal system.
The trapezius muscle has many functions, including moving the scapula and supporting the arm. It also works with other muscles to help move the upper back, neck, and head. For example, the upper trapezius can elevate or bring up the shoulder girdle, and it helps extend, tilt, and rotate the neck. This rotation function takes the head to the opposite side of where the neck and shoulder muscle is located. Together with the lower trapezius, the upper trapezius helps rotate the shoulder blade upward when lifting the arm up to the side.
The trapezius muscle can become painful or sore due to overuse, stress, poor posture, or injury. Overuse can occur through repetitive activities that involve the shoulders, such as swimming or lifting heavy objects. Stress and poor posture can cause the trapezius muscle to become shortened and tight over time. Injuries such as a muscle tear or a pinched nerve in the spine can also lead to pain in the trapezius muscle.
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The muscle helps with posture and movement
The trapezius muscle is a large, paired trapezoid-shaped muscle located in the upper back. It extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. The muscle is divided into three parts: descending (superior), ascending (inferior), and middle. The superior trapezius arises from the occipital bone in the back of the skull and the nuchal line in the back of the neck.
The trapezius muscle helps with posture and movement in several ways. Firstly, it moves the scapula and supports the arm, allowing for smooth arm movement above shoulder height. Secondly, it works with other muscles such as the rhomboids, levator scapulae, and serratus anterior to retract, stabilize, and rotate the scapula, playing a crucial role in shoulder movement and posture. Thirdly, the upper trapezius helps extend, tilt, and rotate the neck, enabling head movement.
The trapezius muscle is constantly active throughout the day, even during small movements or adjustments to how one holds their head, neck, back, and shoulders. It is less common to injure the trapezius than other muscles, but issues can arise due to overuse, stress, poor posture, or physical trauma such as muscle tears. Symptoms of trapezius injuries include muscle spasms and cramps, and pain between the shoulder blades. Treatment for trapezius pain involves resting the muscle and avoiding painful activities to promote healing.
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It is the only muscle of the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus
The trapezius muscle is the only muscle in the upper limb that does not receive its innervation from the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that branch from the cervical spine (neck) and control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. These nerves also provide sensation to the whole upper limb.
The trapezius muscle, on the other hand, is a large, triangular, paired muscle located in the upper back, neck, and thorax region. It gets its innervation from the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) and the anterior rami of the C3 and C4 spinal nerves. This muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining posture and moving the upper back, neck, and head. You use your trapezius muscles almost constantly throughout the day, even in small adjustments to your head, neck, back, and shoulder positions.
The upper trapezius, which goes across the tops of the shoulders, helps elevate the shoulder girdle. It also assists in extending, tilting, and rotating the neck, allowing the head to move back, to the side, and turn to the opposite side. Together with the lower trapezius, the upper trapezius helps rotate the shoulder blade upward, which occurs when you lift your arm up to the side, provided your shoulders, neck, and upper back are properly aligned and flexible.
While issues with the trapezius muscle are rare, they can occur. Any injury to the spinal accessory nerve can cause weakness or paralysis of the trapezius muscle.
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The trapezius is made up of three sections: superior, middle, and inferior
The trapezius is a large, paired trapezoid-shaped muscle located in the upper back. It is made up of three sections: superior (or upper), middle, and inferior (or lower). These sections work together to provide movement and support to the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
The superior trapezius arises from the occipital bone at the back of the skull and the nuchal line at the back of the neck. It attaches to the spinous processes of cervical levels one through six via the ligamentum nuchae. This section helps extend, tilt, and rotate the neck, bringing the head back, to the side, or turning it to the opposite side.
The middle trapezius contributes to head balance and scapulohumeral rhythm through its attachments on the clavicle and scapula. It also works with the rhomboid muscles to retract and stabilize the scapula, playing a key role in shoulder movement and posture.
The inferior trapezius helps rotate the scapula upward during arm elevation, allowing the arm to lift smoothly above shoulder height. This movement occurs when the arm is lifted to the side, provided that the shoulders, neck, and upper back are properly aligned and flexible.
Overall, the trapezius muscles are used frequently throughout the day, often without conscious thought. They are important for maintaining posture and moving the upper back, neck, and head. While trapezius injuries are rare, they can occur due to overuse, stress, poor posture, or physical trauma.
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Frequently asked questions
The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular muscle in the upper back. It has three sections: superior, middle, and inferior. It stabilises the shoulders and enables the neck to move.
Trapezius muscle pain can be caused by overuse, injuries, nerve damage, stress, and poor posture.
To relieve trapezius muscle pain, you can try stretching, hot and cold therapy, kinesiology taping, dry needling, resting, applying ice, and over-the-counter pain medication.
The functions of the trapezius muscle include stabilising and moving the scapula, elevating the shoulder girdle, extending and rotating the neck, and controlling movements of the shoulder and upper limb.
