Rhomboid Major

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
Rhomboid major	T1-T4 SP	Medial border of scapula (below scapular spine)	Dorsal scapular n. C4 - C5	Scapula: Retraction, Downward rotation, Stabilization

Origin

SP T1–T4¹

Insertion

Medial border of scapula (below scapular spine)¹

Innervation

Dorsal Scapular N. (C4, C5)¹

Action

STJ: Retraction, Downward rotation, Stabilization¹

Notes

Function

The Serratus Anterior (along with the rhomboids) serves to aid in scapular stability during arm elevation²

Superior View of the shoulder: You can see how the rhomboids and SA both actively stabilize the scapulothoracic joint by pulling the scapula towards the thoracic wall²

References

1.

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

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.