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Rhomboid Major & Minor Muscles Anatomy

The rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscles are not always clearly separated from each other, they have a rhomboid appearance as they form an oblique equilateral parallelogram.

The rhomboid muscles lie deep to the trapezius and form broad parallel bands that pass inferolaterally from the vertebrae to the medial border of the scapula. The thin, flat rhomboid major is approximately two times wider than the thicker rhomboid minor lying superior to it.

Rhomboid Major & Minor Muscles Anatomy

The rhomboid major muscle originates from the spinous processes of T2 – T5 vertebrae and inserts on the medial border of scapula from level of spine to inferior angle while the rhomboid minor originates from the nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7 and T1 vertebrae and inserts also on the medial upper border of scapula just above the insertion of the rhomboid major muscle.

The innervation of both rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscles comes from the dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5), and blood supply comes from the dorsal scapular artery.

See Also: Scapula Anatomy

The rhomboid major and minor muscles retract and rotate the scapula, depressing its glenoid cavity. They also assist the serratus anterior in holding the scapula against the thoracic wall and fixing the scapula during movements of the upper limb. The rhomboids are used when forcibly lowering the raised upper limbs (e.g., when driving a stake with a sledge hammer).

Rhomboid Major & Rhomboid Minor Muscles anatomy
OriginMinor: nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7 and T1 vertebrae.
Major: spinous processes of T2 – T5 vertebrae
InsertionMedial border of scapula from level of spine to inferior angle
InnervationDorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Blood SupplyDorsal scapular artery
ActionRetract scapula and rotate it to depress glenoid cavity, fix scapula to thoracic wall

To test the rhomboids (or the function of the dorsal scapular nerve that supplies them), the individual places his or her hands posteriorly on the hips and pushes the elbows posteriorly against resistance provided by the examiner. If the rhomboids are acting normally, they can be palpated along the medial borders of the scapulae; because they lie deep to the trapezius, they are unlikely to be visible during testing.

Rhomboid muscle flaps can be used in the treatment of head and neck cancers, esophagus reconstruction, mandibular defects, and Sprengel deformity, which is the congenital elevation of the scapula. Additionally, severe winging of the scapula due to weakened rhomboid muscles may be corrected by using fascia lata grafts.

References & More

  1. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice
  2. Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
  3. Farrell C, Kiel J. Anatomy, Back, Rhomboid Muscles. [Updated 2023 May 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: Pubmed
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