2. Posterior Cervical Region
The region posterior to the anterior borders
of (i.e., corresponding to the area of) the
trapezius is the posterior cervical region.
• The suboccipital region is deep to the
superior part of this region.
3.
4. • The trapezius is a large, flat triangular
muscle that covers the posterolateral aspect
of the neck and thorax.
• The trapezius is a:
▪︎superficial muscle of the back.
▪︎posterior axio-appendicular muscle that
acts on the pectoral girdle.
5. ▪︎cervical muscle that can produce movement
of the cranium.
The trapezius attaches the pectoral girdle to
the cranium and the vertebral column and
assistsin suspending it.
6. • Its attachments:
(Superior/Medial Attachment)-spinous
processes of C7–T12 vertebrae.
(Inferior/Lateral Attachment)-acromion, and
spine of scapula.
• Nerve supply: Spinal accessory nerve (CN
XI;motor); C3 and C4 nerves
(painandproprioception).
7.
8. • The skin of the posterior cervical region is
innervated in a segmental pattern by the posterior
rami of cervical spinal nerves that pierce, but do
not innervate, the trapezius.
• To test the trapezius, the shoulder is shrugged
against resistance.
• If the muscle is acting normally, its superior border
can be seen and palpated.
9. • If the trapezius is paralyzed, the shoulder
droops;
• however, the combined actions of the
levator scapulae and superior fibers of the
serratus
anterior help support the shoulder and may
compensate for the paralysis to some degree.
