Although the trapezius is often believed to be a scapula elevator, its fascicles mainly run
horizontally and are therefore much more well-suited to stabilizing Cadaver dissection shows
that the upper trapezius fascicles run horizontally to the posterior side of the clavicle. Thus, they
do not elevate the scapula (rather, they act to pull the clavicle posteriorly). The middle trapezius
fascicles also run horizontally to the acromion of the scapula. So, they do not elevate the scapula
(instead, they act to retract it). The lower trapezius fascicles run variously downwards
(uppermost), horizontally (middle), and upwards (lowermost), which makes the function of the
region hard to interpret, but it most likely also retracts the scapula. Thus, it seems likely that the
levator scapulae and not the trapezius is the main scapular elevator (as suggested by its name).
Derived from: Johnson, G., Bogduk, N., Nowitzke, A., \& House, D. (1994). Anatomy and
actions of the trapezius muscle. Clinical Biomechanics, 9 ( 1 ) , 44 50 . Shangth \& Conditicning
ResearCh.
Although the trapezius is often believed to be a scapula elevator- its.pdf
1. Although the trapezius is often believed to be a scapula elevator, its fascicles mainly run
horizontally and are therefore much more well-suited to stabilizing Cadaver dissection shows
that the upper trapezius fascicles run horizontally to the posterior side of the clavicle. Thus, they
do not elevate the scapula (rather, they act to pull the clavicle posteriorly). The middle trapezius
fascicles also run horizontally to the acromion of the scapula. So, they do not elevate the scapula
(instead, they act to retract it). The lower trapezius fascicles run variously downwards
(uppermost), horizontally (middle), and upwards (lowermost), which makes the function of the
region hard to interpret, but it most likely also retracts the scapula. Thus, it seems likely that the
levator scapulae and not the trapezius is the main scapular elevator (as suggested by its name).
Derived from: Johnson, G., Bogduk, N., Nowitzke, A., & House, D. (1994). Anatomy and
actions of the trapezius muscle. Clinical Biomechanics, 9 ( 1 ) , 44 50 . Shangth & Conditicning
ResearCh
