Q28 Trapezius muscle

Question 1

Give the position of this muscle

Answer 1

Posterior superficial aspect of Neck, Shoulder and Upper back. From skull to thoracic spine and across to the Acromion.

Question 2

State the attachments of this muscle

Answer 2

(PROXIMAL) 1 – Upper fibres medial third of the superior nuchal line and external occipital protuberance of the occipital bone of the skull.
2 –Middle fibres ligamentum nuchae
3 – Lower fibres spinous processes (C7 -T12) and intervening supraspinous ligaments
(DISTAL) 1 – Upper fibres descend to posterior border of the lateral 1/3 clavicle
2 – Middle fibres pass to medial border of the acromion and upper border of the spine of scapular
3 – Lower fibres attach via an aponeurosis to the medial end of the spine of scapula

Question 3

State the actions for each portion of this muscle

Answer 3

Upper – elevate shoulder girdle and lateral rotation of the scapula, acting in reverse (shoulder girdle fixed), lateral neck flexion, neck extension
Middle – retraction of the scapula
Lower – depression and lateral rotation of the scapula