Trapezius muscle

Trapezius
trapezius
muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column; trapezius is labeled at upper left.
Details
Origin	spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T12,Nuchal ligament, Occipital Bone
Insertion	external occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, medial superior nuchal line, posterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle, acromion process, and spine of scapula
Artery	superficial branch of transverse cervical artery or superficial cervical artery
Nerve	accessory nerve (motor) cervical spinal nerves C3 and C4 (motor and sensation)
Actions	rotation, retraction, elevation, and depression of scapula
Antagonist	serratus anterior muscle, Latissimus dorsi
Identifiers
Latin	musculus trapezius
TA	A04.3.01.001
FMA	9626
Anatomical terms of muscle []

spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T12,Nuchal ligament,

In human anatomy, the trapezius (/trəˈpiːzi.əs/) is one of two large superficial muscles that extend longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae and laterally to the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade). Its functions are to move the scapulae and support the arm.

The trapezius has three functional regions: the superior region (descending part), which supports the weight of the arm; the intermediate region (transverse part), which retracts the scapulae; and the inferior region (ascending part), which medially rotates and depresses the scapulae.

The trapezius muscle resembles a trapezium (trapezoid in American English), or diamond-shaped quadrilateral. The word "spinotrapezius" refers to the human trapezius, although it is not commonly used in modern texts. In other mammals, it refers to a portion of the analogous muscle.

The superior or upper (or descending) fibers of the trapezius originate from the spinous processes of C7, the external occipital protuberance, the medial third of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone (both in the back of the head), and the ligamentum nuchae. From this origin they proceed downward and laterally to be inserted into the posterior border of the lateral third of the clavicle.