Middle Trapezius

Authors
Affiliations

Nate 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

Figure 1: Muscles that position the Pectoral Girdle
Reading list
  • MMT
  • Trigger points
    • Check
    • Trapezius
Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Action
Middle trapezius Aponeurosis of T1-T4 SP Acromion Accessory n. (CN XI)
C3 - C4		 Scapula: Retraction

Middle trapezius AKA Transverse part of the trapezius

Origin

Aponeurosis at T1–T4 SP

Insertion

Acromion of Scapula

Figure 2: Left scapula (Posterior view)

Innervation

Action

  • Scapular retraction
  • Stabilize the scapula during upward rotation
    • Stabilizes the serratus anterior during upward rotation by counteracting the protraction Serratus Anterior

Dysfunction

  • Ch6 Trapezius Muscle

References

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.
3.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Finando D, Finando SJ, Finando D. Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch. Healing Arts Press; 2005.
5.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
6.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
7.
Brazis PW, Masdeu JC, Biller J. Localization in Clinical Neurology. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2022.
8.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.

Citation

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