Trapezius (Musculus trapezius)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A broad triangular muscle covering the upper back and back of the neck; its ascending, transverse and descending parts move the scapula in every direction and brace the shoulder when carrying loads.
Origin & insertion
Origin: occipital bone and the spinous processes of cervical and thoracic vertebrae. Insertion: lateral third of the clavicle, acromion and scapular spine.
Action
Elevates, retracts and rotates the scapula; extends the neck.
Innervation
Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) with proprioceptive branches from C3–C4
Clinical notes
Chronic tightness is one of the most common causes of neck and shoulder pain after long screen work.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Trapezius?
A broad triangular muscle covering the upper back and back of the neck; its ascending, transverse and descending parts move the scapula in every direction and brace the shoulder when carrying loads.
Why is the Trapezius clinically important?
Chronic tightness is one of the most common causes of neck and shoulder pain after long screen work.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details