- Levator scapulae muscle
Muscle infobox
Name = Levator scapulae muscle
Latin = musculus levator scapulae
GraySubject = 121
GrayPage = 435
Caption = Muscles connecting the upper extremity to thevertebral column . (Levator scapula visible at upper right, at the neck.)
Origin =Posterior tubercles oftransverse processes of C1 - C4 vertebrae
Insertion = Superior part ofmedial border of scapula
Blood =dorsal scapular artery
Nerve =cervical nerve (C3, C4) anddorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Action = Elevatesscapula and tilts itsglenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula
DorlandsPre = m_22
DorlandsSuf = 12549630
The levator scapulae is situated at the back and side of the neck.Origin and insertion
It arises by tendinous slips from the
transverse processes of the atlas and axis and from theposterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the third and fourthcervical vertebrae .It is inserted into the vertebral border of the
scapula , between themedial angle and the triangular smooth surface at the root of the spine.Actions
If the head is fixed, the levator scapulæ raises the
medial angle of the scapula .If the shoulder is fixed, the muscle inclines the
neck to the corresponding side and rotates it in the same direction.The levator scapula, along with the trapezius muscle, makes a shrug possible.
Variations
The number of vertebral attachments varies; a slip may extend to the occipital or mastoid, to the
trapezius ,scalene orserratus anterior , or to the first or second rib.The muscle may be subdivided into several distinct parts from origin to insertion.
Levator claviculæ from the transverse processes of one or two upper cervical vertebræ to the outer end of the clavicle corresponds to a muscle of lower animals.
More or less union with the serratus anterior.
Nerves
The levator scapulæ are supplied by the third and fourth
cervical nerves , and frequently by a branch from thedorsal scapular .
=AdditionalExternal links
*
*
*
*
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.