
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a thin, slightly curved bone that connects the arm to the body. It is located at the base of the neck and runs from the sternum to the shoulder blade. The collarbone is prone to injuries like fractures, dislocated shoulders, and separated shoulders, often caused by falls or contact sports. While there are muscles attached to the collarbone, such as the trapezius, deltoid, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major, and subclavius, these muscles do not completely cover the bone, leaving it vulnerable to injury. Building upper chest and pec muscles can help to protect the collarbone by filling in the area underneath.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles attached to the collarbone | Trapezius, Deltoid, Sternocleidomastoid, Pectoralis Major, Subclavius |
| Muscle covering the collarbone | Pectoralis Major (Pecs) |
| Collarbone characteristics | Long, thin, prone to injuries, one of the first bones to begin ossification |
| Collarbone injuries | Clavicle fractures, dislocated shoulder, separated shoulder |
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What You'll Learn
- The trapezius muscle is attached to the posterior surface of the collarbone
- The deltoid muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the bone
- The pectoralis major muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the bone
- The subclavius muscle is attached to a groove in the middle of the bone's inferior surface
- The levator claviculae muscle is inserted in the lateral half of the clavicle

The trapezius muscle is attached to the posterior surface of the collarbone
The collarbone, or clavicle, is a thin, slightly curved bone that connects the sternum to the shoulder blade. It is prone to injuries like fractures, dislocations, and shoulder injuries due to its location and role in shoulder movement. The collarbone is also one of the first bones to begin the ossification process during embryonic development, and it is involved in various shoulder and arm movements.
The trapezius muscle is a large, paired trapezoid-shaped muscle that extends from the occipital bone down to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and out to the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade). It is located on the posterior aspect of the neck and thorax, forming a diamond or trapezoid shape when viewed together. This muscle is involved in movements of the shoulder girdle and is considered a muscle of the upper limb rather than the back.
The trapezius muscle has several attachment points, including the skull, vertebral column, and shoulder girdle. Specifically, the superior or upper fibers of the trapezius originate from the back of the head and attach to the posterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle (collarbone). These fibers play a role in scapular retraction and adduction, as seen in an overhead press.
The trapezius muscle is also involved in abduction of the shoulder, with injury to the cranial nerve XI resulting in weakness in this movement. Additionally, the trapezius assists in extending the neck when the scapulae are stable, and it supports the arm. The trapezius is a muscle that is commonly affected in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), with the lower and middle fibers being impacted initially.
The trapezius muscle is an important muscle in the body, providing support and enabling various movements of the head, neck, and upper back. Its attachment to the posterior surface of the collarbone is just one of its many insertion points and contributes to its functional role in the body.
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The deltoid muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the bone
The deltoid muscle, also known as the 'common shoulder muscle', forms the rounded contour of the human shoulder. It is a superficial muscle, meaning it is close to the surface of the skin. The deltoid muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the collarbone, also known as the clavicle. This bone is long, thin, and connects the arm to the body. The collarbone is prone to injuries such as fractures and dislocations due to its location and role in shoulder movement.
The deltoid muscle has a triangular shape, with a broad origin and a narrow base. It is made up of three distinct sets of muscle fibres: the anterior or clavicular part, the posterior or scapular part, and the intermediate or acromial part. The anterior deltoids, or front delts, help move the arm forward and connect to the clavicle. They are activated when reaching for an object on a shelf, for example.
The clavicular (anterior) part of the deltoid originates from the superior surface and the anterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle. This part of the deltoid muscle is responsible for flexion and internal rotation of the arm. The anterior fibres of the deltoid work together with the pectoralis major to produce flexion of the arm during walking or running. They also assist in internal rotation of the humerus.
The acromial part, or the middle fibres, arise from the lateral margin and superior surface of the acromion of the scapula. These fibres are responsible for abducting the arm. The scapular spinal (posterior) part originates from the lateral third of the spine of the scapula. The posterior fibres of the deltoid assist in extending and externally rotating the arm.
The deltoid muscle works alongside other shoulder muscles, such as the rotator cuff muscles, to enable a variety of movements. It helps with arm abduction, flexion, extension, and stabilization of the shoulder joint. The deltoid also plays a role in compensating for lost arm strength due to injuries, such as a rotator cuff tear.
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The pectoralis major muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the bone
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a long, thin bone that connects the sternum to the shoulder blade. It is located at the base of the neck and is essential for shoulder and arm movement. The collarbone is susceptible to injuries like fractures, dislocated shoulders, and separated shoulders due to its position and function.
The pectoralis major muscle is a large, fan-shaped muscle in the pectoral region. It is composed of three parts: the clavicular part, the sternocostal part, and the abdominal part. The clavicular part of the pectoralis major muscle is attached to the anterior surface of the medial half of the clavicle, or the collarbone. This muscle is the most superficial in the pectoral region and is involved in adduction and internal rotation of the arm at the shoulder joint.
The pectoralis major muscle has a broad origin and a single insertion point. The clavicular part arises from the anterior surface of the medial clavicle, while the sternocostal part originates from the anterior surface of the sternum and the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6. The abdominal part, the smallest of the three, originates from the anterior layer of the rectus sheath. The muscle fibres from these parts converge laterally towards the proximal humerus, forming a broad tendon that inserts along the lateral lip of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus.
The pectoralis major muscle plays a crucial role in arm movement, particularly in adduction and internal rotation at the shoulder joint. The clavicular part of the muscle helps to flex the extended arm up to 90 degrees, while the sternocostal part assists in extending the flexed arm by pulling it downwards. This muscle also acts together with the latissimus dorsi muscle to pull the trunk forwards or upwards when the humeral attachment is fixed, which is important for activities like climbing.
The pectoralis major muscle is a significant structure in the body, and its function and attachments showcase the complexity and coordination of the muscular system. Its attachment to the anterior surface of the clavicle, or collarbone, highlights its role in providing stability and facilitating movement in the pectoral region.
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The subclavius muscle is attached to a groove in the middle of the bone's inferior surface
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a thin, slightly curved bone that connects the sternum to the shoulder blade. It is prone to injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and separations, often as a result of falls, contact sports, or car accidents. The clavicle is one of the first bones to begin the process of ossification during embryonic development, but it is one of the last bones to finish ossification, usually around the age of 21-25 years.
The subclavius muscle is a small, triangular muscle located in the anterior thorax, underneath the clavicle. It originates from the first rib and inserts on the undersurface of the middle third of the clavicle, specifically in a groove in the middle of the bone's inferior surface. This groove is known as the groove for the subclavius muscle. The main function of the subclavius muscle is to stabilize the clavicle during movements of the shoulder girdle and to prevent injuries to the adjacent neurovascular structures in the event of a clavicle fracture.
The subclavius muscle is innervated by the nerve to the subclavius, a branch of the brachial plexus, which originates from the C5-C6 nerve roots. The nerve to the subclavius provides sensory information about the upper extremity, which is hypothesized to be an important function of this muscle. Myofascial pain or strain in the subclavius muscle can result in pain along the clavicle, sternoclavicular joint, shoulder, or even radiating into the arm. This pain can be caused by heavy lifting, chronic forward shoulder positioning, or sleeping with the arm overhead.
The subclavius muscle also plays a role in controlling the position of the scapula in relation to the thorax, and its contraction is believed to increase tension at the tendinous border and the aponeurosis. While it was previously thought that the subclavius muscle acted primarily as a stabilizer, its anatomical variations and innervation suggest that it may have a more dynamic role in regulating the output of kinetic energy during the movement of the upper extremity.
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The levator claviculae muscle is inserted in the lateral half of the clavicle
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a thin, slightly curved bone that connects the arm to the body. It is located at the base of the neck and connects to the shoulder blade. The collarbone is prone to injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and separations, often caused by falls or contact sports.
The levator claviculae muscle is a rare accessory muscle found in the posterior triangle of the neck. It is present in only 2-3% of people and is considered a variant of normal human anatomy rather than an abnormality. This muscle originates from the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae and is inserted into the lateral half of the clavicle, also known as the collarbone.
The levator claviculae serves as a rigid support for the scapula and free limb, allowing the arm a maximum range of movement. It acts as a flexible, crane-like strut, enabling the scapula to move freely on the thoracic wall. Additionally, it covers and protects the cervicoaxillary canal and the neurovascular bundle that supplies the upper limb.
The levator claviculae muscle is often identified during radiological scans and is important for radiologists to recognize. It can be mistaken for a neck mass or other abnormalities such as cervical adenopathy. The first documented observation of this muscle was made by Leonardo da Vinci, and it has been reported in anatomical literature since the early 19th century.
The levator claviculae muscle is a normal part of anatomy in lower mammals and is commonly found in gibbons, orangutans, and chimpanzees, among other species. However, its absence in humans remains unexplained from a phylogenetic perspective.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no muscle that covers the collarbone, but five muscles are attached to it. These are the trapezius, deltoid, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major, and subclavius muscles.
The collarbone, or clavicle, is a thin, slightly curved bone that connects your arm to your body. It runs from your sternum to your shoulder blade.
The collarbone plays an important role in shoulder and arm movement. It holds your shoulder blade in the correct position as you move, allowing you to transfer weight from your upper body to your head, neck, back, and chest.
While there is no muscle that covers the collarbone, building upper chest or "pec" muscles can fill in the area underneath the collarbone and make it less prominent. Exercises such as incline bench press, dumbbell flyes, and curl-and-press can help stimulate the upper fibres of the pectoralis major muscle.







































