Anatomy and actions of the trapezius muscle

Influence of Scapular Position on Cervical Rotation Range of Motion

“…16,27 It has been proposed that a depressed scapular alignment affects neck function potentially through increasing compressive loading in the neck region, 36 through the transfer of weight from the upper extremities by way of the attachments of the cervicoscapular muscles. 15 A depressed scapular alignment has also been proposed to be related to neck pain, 27,30 and is associated with decreased pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the upper trapezius region. 1 When a depressed scapular alignment is identified in individuals with cervical dysfunction, passively elevating the scapulae can decrease symptoms 27,30,36 and improve ROM.…”

“…Changes of the alignment of either the scapulae or the cervical spine can potentially influence the biomechanics of the other by altering the tension at the cervicoscapular muscles. 15 scapula is located between the spinous process of the second and seventh thoracic vertebrae. 14,16,21,27 When the superior angle of the scapula is located below the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra, the scapula is considered to be depressed.…”

A novel cadaveric study of the morphometry of the serratus anterior muscle: one part, two parts, three parts, four?

“…Finally, the challenge of measuring serratus anterior fiber angle is exemplified by the lower intra-observer reliability value compared to other measurements (Table 5). Different measurement methods have been employed to measure muscle fiber angle but no gold standard exists (De Foa et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 1994;Ackland et al, 2008). Serial dissection combined with digitization and three-dimensional modelling in cadavers and diffusion tensor imaging in vivo are promising new methods for the visualization and quantification of muscle architecture throughout the entire muscle volume (Lee et al, 2015).…”

“…The volume of the fascicle was measured by submerging it in water, with no splash or loss of water and allowing time for any bubbles to rise to the surface, in a calibrated 100 milliliter (ml) measuring cylinder (VOLAC, Poulten and Graf, Barking, UK) and recording the fluid displacement to the nearest ml after the fascicle had sunk. The PCSA of each fascicle was calculated by dividing fascicle volume by length (Johnson et al, 1994;Bogduk et al, 1998;Phillips et al, 2008).…”

“…There are no current guidelines or literature to recommend EMG sensor locations to distinguish muscle activity in individual subdivisions of serratus anterior (SENIAM, Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles, www.seniam.org). Distinct subdivisions have been demonstrated within numerous skeletal muscles in cadaveric dissection studies (Gottschalk et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 1994). These anatomical subdivisions are used to inform electrode placement on different parts of the muscle for the accurate determination of muscle activity in each subdivision.…”