Trapezius

Anatomy

Origin	Descending part (superior fibers): medial third of the superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance Transverse part (medial fibers): nuchal ligament attached to the spinous processes of C1-C6 vertebrae, spinous processes and supraspinous ligaments of vertebrae C7-T3 Ascending part (inferior fibers): spinous processes and supraspinous ligaments of vertebrae T4-T12
Insertion	Descending part (superior fibers): lateral third of clavicle Transverse part (medial fibers): medial acromial margin, superior crest of spine of scapula Ascending part (inferior fibers): lateral apex of the medial end of scapular spine
Innervation	Motor: accessory nerve (CN XI) Sensory: ventral rami of spinal nerves C3-C4 (via cervical plexus)
	Descending part (superior fibers) – Scapulothoracic joint: draws scapula superomedially – Atlantooccipital joint: extension of head and neck, lateral flexion of head and neck (ipsilateral) – Altantoaxial joint: rotation of head (contralateral) Transverse part (medial fibers) – Scapulothoracic joint: draws scapula medially Ascending part (inferior fibers) – Scapulothoracic joint: Draws scapula inferomedially
Blood supply	Occipital artery (descending part), superficial or transverse cervical artery (transverse part), dorsal scapular artery (ascending part)

Stretching