Scapular Muscles Flashcards
Upper Trapezius (1)
Levator Scapulae (2)
Upper Trapezius Origin
(Red Muscle)
External Occipital Protuberance and spinous process of C1 - C7
Upper Trapezius Insertion
(Red Muscle)
Lateral 1/3 of the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula.
Upper Trapezius Action
Red Muscle
Scapular Elevation
Levator Scapulae Origin
(Yellow Muscle)
Transverse Process of C1-C4
Levator Scapulae Insertion
(Yellow Muscle)
Medial border of the scapula from the superior angle to the root of the spine of the scapula
Levator Scapulae Action
(Yellow Muslce)
Scapular elevation
Testing Position Scapular Elevation
Against Gravity - Sitting, patient lifts the shoulder up, therapist resists on top of the shoulder in a downward direction.
Gravity Eliminated – Prone with arm down at side and supported at the shoulder by the therapist, patient lifts the shoulder up toward the ear, therapist resists on top of the shoulder in a parallel direction toward the feet.
*Testing position for Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapulae are the same. Although this may look like the shoulder is doing the working it actually is the scapula and clavicle (shoulder girdle) elevating together.
Lower Trapezius
Lower Trapezius Origin
Spinous process of T6 - T12
Lower Trapezius Insertion
The medial end of the spine of the scapula
Lower Trapezius Action
Scapular Depression
Pink
Latissimus Dorsi
Latissimus Dorsi Origin
Spinous process of T7-T12, spinous process of the lumbar vertebra, sacrum to the posterior iliac crest as well as to ribs 7-10 and to the inferior angle of the scapula
Latissimus Dorsi Insertion
Distal to the lesser tuberosity (located on anterior surface of humerus)
Latissimus Dorsi Action
Scapular depression, extension, internal rotation, and adduction of the shoulder
Testing Position for Scapular Depression
Against Gravity - Prone, starting with the arm down at the side, patient lifts arm up over his head and then pulls the scapula down toward the hip (scapular depression). Therapist resists on the inferior angle in an upward direction toward the head.
Gravity Eliminated – prone, arm down at side and supported at the shoulder by the therapist. Patient reaches hand down toward the feet moving the scapula downward. Therapist resist on inferior angle in an upward direction toward the head.
Middle Trapezius
Middle Trapezius Origin
Spinous process of T1-T5
Middle Trapezius Insertion
Acromion process of the scapula and the spine of the scapula
Middle Trapezius Action
Scapular Adduction/Retraction
Testing Position for Scapular Adduction/Retraction
Against Gravity - Prone, the patient lifts the arm up into external rotation followed by scapular retraction (pulls scapula towards the vertebra). Therapist resists on the medial border in an outward direction.
Sitting, therapist supports shoulder into 90 degrees of abduction followed by the patient attempting to pull the scapula toward the vertebra. Therapist applies resistance on the medial border in an outward direction.
Rhomboid Minor (2 - Yellow)
Rhomboid Major (1 - Red)
Rhomboid Minor & Major Origin
Spinous Process of C7 - T1 (minor),
Spinous Process of T2 - T5 (major)
Rhomboid Minor & Major Insertion
Medial border of root of spine of scapula (minor)
Medial border inferior to the root of the spine of the scapula to the inferior angle of the scapula (major)
Rhomboid Minor & Major Action
Scapular Adduction/Retraction
Testing Position for Scapular Adduction/Retraction
Against Gravity – Prone, patient places arm in small of back and then lifts arm up. Therapist resists on the medial border in an outward direction.
Gravity Eliminated – Sitting, therapist supports shoulder into 90 degree of abduction followed by the patient attempting to pull the scapula toward the vertebra. Therapist applies resistance on the medial border in an outward direction (same as test for middle trapezius).
*This test position is the same for both Rhomboid Minor and Major. This means that the two muscles can not be isolated for individual strength as they work and function together.
Serratus Anterior
Brown Muscle
Pectoralis Minor
Serratus Anterior Origin
Outer Surface of Ribs 1-9
Serratus Anterior Insertion
Medial border of the scapula from the superior to the inferior angles of the scapula
Serratus Anterior Action
Scapular Abduction/Protraction
Pectoralis Minor Origin
(Brown Muscle)
Outer surface ribs 3-5
Pectoralis Minor Insertion
(Brown Muscle)
Coracoid process of the scapula
Pectoralis Minor Action
(Brown Muscle)
Scapular Abduction/Protraction
Testing Position for Scapular Abduction/Protraction
Against Gravity - Supine, patient lifts the shoulder to 90 degrees of shoulder flexion followed by scapular protraction (make sure the scapula rises up off the mat, elbow can be in extension or flexion). Therapist resists on the distal end of the humerus in a downward direction.
Gravity Eliminated – Sitting, therapist supports shoulder into 90o of flexion followed by the patient attempting to reach forward with the arm. Therapist resists on the distal end of the humerus in a backward direction.
*Testing position for Serratus Anterior and Pectoralis Minor are the same. This means that the two muscles can not be isolated for individual strength as they work and function together. The scapula and clavicle (shoulder girdle) are working together to produce protraction.
