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Levator Scapulae Muscle Anatomy

The levator scapulae muscle is superficial extrinsic muscle of the back that primarily function to elevate the scapulae. Levator comes from the Latin levare, meaning “to raise.” Scapulae refer to the scapulas, or shoulder blades, possibly originating from the Greek “skaptein,” meaning “to dig.”

It’s one of the deep posterior axio-appendicular (axioscapular or thoraco-appendicular) muscles alongside with the rhomboids. These muscles provide direct attachment of the appendicular skeleton to the axial skeleton.

Levator Scapulae Muscle Anatomy

The levator scapulae muscle originates from the posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 (atlas), C2 (axis), C3, and C4 vertebrae and inserts on the posterior lip of the medial scapular border, typically between the superior angle and root of the scapular spine

The superior third of the strap-like levator scapulae lies deep to the sternocleidomastoid; the inferior third is deep to the trapezius. From the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae, the fibers of the levator of the scapula pass inferiorly to the superomedial border of the scapula. True to its name, the levator scapulae acts with the descending part of the trapezius to elevate the scapula or fix it (resists forces that would depress it, as when carrying a load).

See Also: Normal Shoulder Range of Motion
Levator Scapulae Muscle

The levator scapulae muscle’s innervation comes from dorsal scapular nerve originating from the C4 and C5 nerve roots. It gets its blood supply from the dorsal scapular artery.

With the rhomboids and pectoralis minor, the levator scapulae rotates the scapula, depressing the glenoid cavity (tilting it inferiorly by rotating the scapula). Acting bilaterally (also with the trapezius), the levators extend the neck; acting unilaterally, the muscle may contribute to lateral flexion of the neck (toward the side of the active muscle).

OriginPosterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 to C4 vertebrae
InsertionSuperior part of medial border of scapula
InnervationDorsal scapula (C5) and cervical (C3 and C4) nerves (C3, C4, C5)
Blood SupplyDorsal scapular artery
ActionElevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula
Levator Scapulae

References & More

  1. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice
  2. Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
  3. Henry JP, Munakomi S. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Levator Scapulae Muscles. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: Pubmed
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