What is the Trapezius Muscle?
The trapezius muscle is a triangular muscle which extends from the neck to the midback, and across to cover the shoulder blades. Humans have two trapezius muscles, one on each side of the body, with the two muscles creating a diamond-like shape which inspired the name “trapezius,” a reference to a trapezoid. These muscles move in a number of different ways, and are responsible for several unique and distinctive movements, including the shrug, in which the shoulders are lifted up in a straight line.
The trapezius muscle is a triangular muscle which extends from the neck to the midback, and across to cover the shoulder blades. Humans have two trapezius muscles, one on each side of the body, with the two muscles creating a diamond-like shape which inspired the name “trapezius,” a reference to a trapezoid. These muscles move in a number of different ways, and are responsible for several unique and distinctive movements, including the shrug, in which the shoulders are lifted up in a straight line. The trapezius muscle can move the scapula or shoulder blade in a number of ways beyond the shrug, and it is also involved in the rotation of the head and neck. These muscles are also considered accessory breathing muscles, because they help to open up the chest for breathing, and they support the weight of the arms.
