trapezius

(noun)

A large vertebrate skeletal muscle divided into an ascending, descending, and transverse portion, attaching the neck and central spine to the outer extremity of the scapula; it functions in scapular elevation, adduction, and depression.

Related Terms

Examples of trapezius in the following topics:

  • Accessory (XI) Nerve

    • The accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles of the shoulder and neck.
    • The accessory nerve provides motor innervation from the CNS to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles of the neck.
    • The sternocleidomastoid muscle tilts and rotates the head, while the trapezius muscle has several actions on the scapula, including shoulder elevation and adduction of the scapula.
    • Patients with spinal accessory nerve palsy may exhibit signs of lower motor neuron disease, such as atrophy and fasciculations of both the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
    • Upon exiting the skull via the jugular foramen, the spinal accessory nerve pierces the sternocleidomastoid muscle before terminating on the trapezius muscle.

  • Neck Muscles

    • Trapezius – The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and forms a broad flat triangle.
    • Attachments – The trapezius originates from the skull and spine of the upper back and neck.
    • Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)
    • Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)
    • Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)

  • Muscles of the Shoulder

    • Trapezius – The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and forms a broad flat triangle.
    • Attachments – The trapezius originates from the skull and spine of the upper back and neck.
    • Past 90 degrees, the scapula needs to be rotated by the trapezius and serratus anterior to achieve abduction.
    • Highlighted in orange, the trapezius is a large, broad muscle of the back that acts on the shoulder.

  • Clavicle

    • Laterally the deltoid muscle originates from the anterior surface and the trapezius muscle attaches to the posterior surface at the trapezoid line.

  • Posterior Muscles

    • Trapezius – The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and forms a broad flat triangle.
    • Attachments – The trapezius originates from the skull and spine of the upper back and neck.

  • Scapula

    • It is divided by a ridge-like structure called the spine of the scapula, from which the deltoid and trapezius muscles originate.

  • Brachial Plexus

    • The brachial plexus is responsible for cutaneous and muscular innervation of the entire upper limb, with two exceptions: the trapezius muscle is innervated by the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) and an area of skin near the axilla is innervated by the intercostobrachial nerve.

  • Understanding Medical Terms

    • ., trapezius, and latissimus dorsi.

  • Inspiration

    • Trapezius muscle: muscles in the shoulders, which retracts the scapula and expands the upper part of the thoracic cavity.

  • Pericarditis

    • Substernal or left precordial pleuritic chest pain with radiation to the trapezius ridge (the bottom portion of scapula on the back), which is relieved by sitting up and bending forward and worsened by lying down (recumbent or supine position) or inspiration (taking a breath in), is the characteristic pain of pericarditis.