Muscles Connecting the Upper Limb to the Vertebral Column

Occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae, spine of seventh cervical vertebra, spines of all thoracic vertebrae

Trapezius origin

Upper fibers into lateral third of clavicle; middle and lower fibers into acromion and spine of scapula

Trapezius insertion

Spinal part of accessory nerve (motor) and C3 and 4 (sensory)

Trapezius nerve

Upper fibers elevate the scapula; middle fibers pull scapula medially; lower fibers pull medial border of scapula downward

Trapezius action

Iliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae, lower three or four ribs, and inferior angle of scapula

Latissimus dorsi origin

Floor of bicipital groove of humerus

Latissimus dorsi insertion

Thoracodorsal nerve

Latissimus dorsi nerve

Extends, adducts, and medially rotates the arm

Latissimus dorsi action

Transverse processes of first four cervical vertebrae

Levator scapulae origin

Medial border of scapula

Levator scapulae insertion

C3 and 4 and dorsal scapular nerve

Levator scapulae nerve

Raises medial border of scapula

Levator scapulae action

Ligamentum nuchae and spines of seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebrae

Rhomboid minor origin

Medial border of scapula

Rhomboid minor insertion

Dorsal scapular nerve

Rhomboid minor nerve

Raises medial border of scapula upward and medially

Rhomboid minor action

Second to fifth thoracic spines

Rhomboid major origin

Medial border of scapula

Rhomboid major insertion

Dorsal scapular nerve

Rhomboid major nerve

Raises medial border of scapula upward and medially

Rhomboid major action