Muscles Of The Upper Extremities (A & P)

Front 1

Upper Trapezius

Back 1

A: Bilaterally it extends the head and neck. Unilaterally it laterally extends the head and neck. Elevation and upward rotation of the scapula.

P: Superficial muscle of the neck from occiput to acromion

Front 2

Middle Trapezius

Back 2

A: Pulls scapula medially

P: Superficially from the top of the spine of the scapula toward spinous process C6-T5

Front 3

Lower Trapezius

Back 3

A: Depression and upward rotation of the scapula

P: With the arms extended in front of the body, from spinous process of T5-T12 to spine of scapula

Front 4

Rhomboid Major

Back 4

A: Retracts and rotates scapula downward

P: Deep to trapezius between vertebral border of scapula and spinous process T2-T5

Front 5

Rhomboid Minor

Back 5

A: Retracts and rotates scapula downward

P: Just superior to rhomboid major. Hard to palpate.

Front 6

Levator Scapulae

Back 6

A: Unilaterally: elevation of scapula and laterally flex head and neck; Bilaterally: extends head and neck.

P: Anterior to the lateral border of the upper trapezius.

Front 7

Pecoralis Minor

Back 7

A: Forward rotation and depression of scapula

P: Move the arm forward to raise and relax the pectoralis major and palpate under it toward the clavicle.

Front 8

Serratus Anterior

Back 8

A: Stabilization, upward rotation, and protraction of the scapula. Holds the medial border of the scapula against the rib cage.

P: Inferior to the axilla between the latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major along lateral ribs.