Origin
C7 and T1-T12 vertebrae, external occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament.
Insertion
Clavicle, scapula.
Blood supply
Superficial cervical artery, suprascapular artery, intercostal arteries, occipital artery.
Nerve supply
Accessory nerve.
Action
This muscle helps in neck movements, breathing as well as in the motion of raising the arms above shoulder level.
Disease/Injury
This muscle is prone to repetitive stress injury as a result of continuous work on computers.
Muscle Exercise
While at a desk job, you must take frequent breaks to perform shoulder exercises such as shoulder raises, rolling the shoulder, ear-shoulder tilts, etc.
Interesting facts
In a neck and shoulder massage, trapezius is the muscle being targeted.
