A strap from the upper four neck vertebrae to the upper corner of the shoulder blade that lifts the blade in a shrug
Levator scapulae — its Latin name means the raiser of the scapula.
Anatomy · Muscles
Levator scapulae
The raiser of the shoulder blade
Neck and upper back · deep to the trapezius
A slender, strap-like muscle at the back and side of the neck that runs from the upper cervical vertebrae down to the top corner of the shoulder blade. As its name says, it lifts the scapula, and it also tilts the neck to its own side. It lies deep to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid and forms part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck.
How to spot them
- ▸A thin strap running down and back from the transverse processes of C1 to C4 to the superior angle and upper medial border of the scapula
- ▸Deep to trapezius and sternocleidomastoid, visible in the floor of the posterior triangle
- ▸Supplied by the dorsal scapular nerve and by C3 and C4
- ▸Often tender and knotted in people who carry heavy bags or sit at a desk
What to know
Its attachments are the transverse processes of C1 to C4 above and the superior angle and adjoining medial border of the scapula below
Levator scapulae — the shoulder blade's superior angle.
The muscle that lies in the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck, under the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid, together with splenius capitis and scalenus medius
Levator scapulae — part of the floor of the posterior triangle.
A stiff neck after a night in an awkward posture is often blamed on spasm in this muscle
Levator scapulae — a frequent site of trigger points; a tight muscle is the classic cause of a crick in the neck.
Supplied by the nerve that also serves the rhomboid muscles, together with branches from the third and fourth cervical nerves
Levator scapulae — the dorsal scapular nerve, with C3 and C4.
A stiff, painful neck with a tender lump at the top corner of the shoulder blade, worse when turning the head towards the shoulder
Levator scapulae — a muscle strain here is a frequent cause of neck and shoulder pain.
Key ideas
- It acts as a link between the head and neck and the shoulder girdle, so it works both ways: with the scapula fixed it tilts and rotates the neck to the same side; with the neck fixed it lifts and tilts the scapula.
- It also rotates the scapula so the socket faces downwards, working with the rhomboids when the raised arm is lowered against resistance.
Quick-fire facts
- •Origin: the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1 to C4
- •Insertion: the medial border of the scapula between the superior angle and the root of the spine
- •Action: elevates the scapula and rotates it so that the glenoid cavity faces downwards; bends the neck to the same side
- •Nerve supply: the dorsal scapular nerve (C5), with branches from C3 and C4
- •Blood supply: the dorsal scapular artery, with the transverse cervical and occipital arteries
- •Forms part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck
- •The dorsal scapular nerve passes deep to it on the way to the rhomboids
- •It lies deep to the trapezius, and the upper part is covered by sternocleidomastoid
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Sources
- TeachMeAnatomy — Levator scapulae