Muscles / Head & neck
Levator scapulae
- Head & neck
- Neck
- Intermediate layer
Anatomy
- Origin
- Posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C1-C4
- Insertion
- Medial border of the scapula above the root of the spine (superior angle)
- Nerve
- Dorsal scapular nerve and cervical spinal nerves (C3-C5)
Actions
- Elevates the scapula
- Downwardly rotates the scapula (tilts the glenoid inferiorly)
- Laterally flexes the neck
Also trained by
Notes
- Frequently tender in neck pain; commonly stretched in cervical rehabilitation.
References (4)
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e