10- Muscles of the Posterior Thorax

Question 1

Trapezius

Answer 1

Superficial muscle of posterior thorax; upper fibers run inferiorly to scapula; middle fibers run horizontally to scapula; lower fibers run superiorly to scapula.

Stabilizes, raises, retracts, and rotates scapula; middle fibers retract scapula. Superior fibers elevate scapula, as in shrugging. Inferior fibers depress scapula.

Question 2

Levator Scapulae

Answer 2

Back and side of neck, deep to trapezius, thick, strap like muscle border of scapula.

Elevates/ adducts scapula in concert with superior fibers of trapezius, tilts glenoid cavity downward when scapula is fixes.

Question 3

Rhomboids

Answer 3

Two rectangular muscles lying deep to trapezius and inferior to levator scapulae; rhomboid minor is the more superior muscles.

Act together to react scapula, thus “squaring shoulders” rotate glenoid cavity of scapula downward.