Muscles / Back
Lower trapezius
- Back
- Shoulder & scapula
- Superficial layer
Also called ascending trapezius, ascending part of trapezius, LT.
Part of Trapezius.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Spinous processes of about T4-T12
- Insertion
- Tubercle at the medial end (root) of the scapular spine
Actions
- Depresses the scapula
- Upwardly rotates the scapula
- Posteriorly tilts the scapula during elevation
Exercises that train it most
Prone horizontal abduction with external rotation ("T")
Prone arm raise overhead ("Y")
Prone shoulder extension
Scapular pull-up
Also trained by
Side-lying external rotation
Wall slide
Bird dog (quadruped opposite arm and leg lift)
Lat pull-down
Wall angel
References (6)
- Ekstrom RA, Donatelli RA, Soderberg GL. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003;33(5):247-258. Surface electromyographic analysis of exercises for the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles
- Cools AM, Dewitte V, Lanszweert F, et al. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(10):1744-1751. Rehabilitation of scapular muscle balance: which exercises to prescribe?
- 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