Levator Scapulae

Musculus levator scapulae

Upper Body NeckShouldersBack

A slender muscle bridging the upper cervical spine to the superior angle of the scapula; it elevates the scapula (the shrug) and downwardly rotates it. Chronically tight and overactive in desk-bound trainees, it is relevant to shrug and upright-row mechanics and is a common source of neck/shoulder tension that benefits from mobility and lower-trap strengthening.

Actions

Scapular elevation, Downward rotation of the scapula, Ipsilateral cervical lateral flexion / rotation (with scapula fixed)

Origin

Posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1-C4.

Insertion

Medial border of the scapula, between the superior angle and the root of the spine of the scapula.

Innervation

Anterior rami of C3-C4 (cervical nerves) and the dorsal scapular nerve (C5).

Blood supply

Dorsal scapular artery and transverse/ascending cervical arteries.

Wikipedia ↗

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