Trapezius

General information

• This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

• Superficial

Origin

• Processus spinosi C7-T12
• Ligamentum nuchae
• Protuberantia externa occipitale

Insertion

• Clavicula
  • Lateral 1/3
• Acromion
• Spina scapula

Main function

• Neck
  • Lateral flexion
  • Extension
  • Contralateral rotation
• Scapula
  • Elevation
  • Retraction
  • Depression

Secondary function

• Scapula
  • Upward rotation
• Trunk
  • Extension

Nerve innervation

• Segmental
  • C2-C4

Arterial supply

• Transverse cervical artery
• Dorsal scapular artery

Palpation

• Patient position
  • Prone
• The trapezius muscle covers a large area while it is superficial in both the neck and back, so the muscle is easy to palpate
• Place your hand on top of the upper part of trapezius
• Ask the patient to abduct the arm while the scapula is pulled backwards (retraction)
• This causes an upper limitation of trapezius which is easily visible

• Patient position
  • Supine
• Support the patient's head, and move the patient's head into lateral flexion
• Stabilize the patient's shoulder by fixating the shoulder girdle during the movement

• Patient position
  • Seated
• Place the patient's head in a posterolateral extension position while the neck is rotated to the contralateral side
• Have the patient lift the shoulder on the ipsilateral side (same side the head is lateral flexed towards)
• The therapist places a hand on the shoulder which is elevated and pushes in a caudal direction (depression), while the other hand is placed in a posteromedially on the head and giving force in an anterolateral direction
• The patient gives counter resistance to maintain the position

• Patient position
  • Prone
• The scapula is placed in a adducted and upward rotated position (this places the scapulas lower angle in a lateral rotation)
• Place the patient's arm in 90° abduction and lateral rotation
• Give resistance towards the patient's lower arm in a caudal direction down towards the floor
• The patient gives counter resistance to maintain the position

• Patient position
  • Prone
• The scapula is positioned in adduction and depression, with lateral rotation of the lower part of the scapula
• The patient's arm is placed in line with the lower fibers of trapezius
• Give pressure towards the patient's lower arm in a caudal postion down towards the floor