Muscle Name: Trapezius (Upper Back)

Medical Name:

• Trapezius

Other Names:

• Traps
• Upper Back Muscle

Head:

• Upper Trapezius
• Middle Trapezius
• Lower Trapezius

Movement:

• Upper Trapezius:
  • Elevation of the scapula
    • Lifting the shoulders upwards
  • Upward rotation of the scapula
    • Rotating the shoulder blade upwards
• Middle Trapezius:
  • Retraction of the scapula
    • Pulling the shoulder blades together
• Lower Trapezius:
  • Depression of the scapula
    • Lowering the shoulders downwards
  • Upward rotation of the scapula
    • Rotating the shoulder blade upwards

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • External occipital protuberance
  • Medial third of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
  • Ligamentum nuchae
  • Spinous processes of C7-T12 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Lateral third of the clavicle
  • Acromion process
  • Spine of the scapula

Related Muscles:

• Rhomboids
• Latissimus Dorsi
• Levator Scapulae
• Sternocleidomastoid
• Deltoids

EXERCISES

COMMUNITY