Exploring The Trapezius Muscle
I’m not sure that there is any muscle as deeply integrated with movement of the scapula than the trapezius muscle. It is divided into three sections:
- The upper trapezius
- The middle trapezius
- The lower trapezius
What does trapezius mean?
The name trapezius comes from the Greek word “trapeza” which means four-sided. Trapezius is named for its shape. When the left and right sides are paired, they form a trapezium. The trapezius composes the superficial layer of muscle on the back only partly covered by the large latissimus dorsi muscle.
Where does the trapezius muscle attach?
Origin of trapezius
The Upper Trapezius:
- base of the occiput
- ligamentum nuchae
- spinous processes of vertebrae C1-C7
The Middle Trapezius
- spinous processes of C7 – T3
The Lower Trapezius:
- spinous processes of T4 – T12
Insertion of trapezius
The Upper Trapezius:
- lateral clavicle and the acromion process
The Middle Trapezius:
- spine of the scapula
The Lower Trapezius:
- spine of the scapula
What actions does the trapezius muscle do?
All three sections of the trapezius help in upwardly rotating the scapula. This is possible because of the points of insertion. It helps to imagine a central point around which the scapula rotates and see that the muscular attachments are like ropes on a pulley.
The upper trapezius also does: Elevation
The middle trapezius also does: Retraction
The lower trapezius also does: Depression
What are the most common injuries to the trapezius?
The most common cause of pain in the trapezius is STRESS! Many people seem to carry their stress around in their shoulders. It’s not uncommon for the upper trapezius to be involved in headaches and torticollis (wry neck/waking up with a stiff neck). Trigger points in the trapezius can be particularly nasty and part of the headaches that are so common.
Postures where the trapezius muscle contracts:
Postures where the trapezius muscle lengthens:
The left arm is downwardly rotating lengthening the trapezius muscle.
Trigger points
Learn All of Your Muscles
Join thousands of yogis when you sign up to our monthly newsletter
Check out our Online Courses and Workshops
- Enhance your practice
- Fine tune your teaching skills
- Go deeper into anatomy and yoga
Related Posts
When To Heal The Body With Yoga And When To Get Outside Help
When is healing with yoga not enough? If a body issue is not improving and you’ve come to the end of your knowledge, then it’s time to get outside help.
How Do You Protect The Knees In Warrior One?
David shares how to modify the hip and foot placement to protect the knees in warrior one and he explains why common alignment cues don’t work for everyone.
Sciatica, Piriformis Syndrome, And Yoga
David explains the difference between sciatica, piriformis syndrome, and other sources of sciatica-like pain. He explains when yoga can be helpful.
Popular Posts
About David Keil
This website is simply about delivering yoga anatomy to the yoga community in a simple and understandable way. It has always been about you, the reader, understanding the complexity and diversity of our own humanness as well as our anatomy.
