Upper Trapezius

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Upper trapezius	Occiput SP C1-C7	lateral 1/3 of Clavicle	Accessory n. (CN XI) C3 - C4	Scapula: Elevation, Upward rotatino Neck: I/L sidebend, C/L Rotation

Origin

• Occipital bone¹
• SP of C1–C7¹

Insertion

Clavicle (lateral one third)¹

Innervation

• Motor: CN XI Accessory n. (C3, C4)²
• Proprioception: Cervical plexus (C2, C3, C4)¹

Action

• Scapula: Elevation, Upward rotation¹
• Neck: I/L sidebend and C/L rotation¹

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Brazis PW, Masdeu JC, Biller J. Localization in Clinical Neurology. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2022.