18 Muscles that Attach to the Scapula

No. Muscle Origin Insertion Action Innervation Special Notes

Anterior View
ORIGINS
1 Subscapularis Subscapular fossa of scapula Lesser tubercle of humerus Medially rotates arm and adducts it; helps to hold Upper & lower subscapular Rotator cuff muscle (1 of 4)
humeral head in glenoid cavity nn. (C5, C6, & C7)
2 Triceps brachii (long Infraglenoid tubercle of scapula Proximal end of olecranon of ulna and Extends the forearm; it is chief extensor of Radial n. (C6, C7, & C8) Attaches on the anterior & posterior
head) fascia of forearm forearm; long head steadies head of abducted sides (both on the upper lateral
humerus edge)

3 Omohyoid Hyoid bone Depresses, retracts, and steadies hyoid bone   Ansa cervicalis (C1, C2, &
Inferior belly: superior border of scapula near C3)  
the suprascapular notch  
4 Coracobrachialis Tip of coracoid process of scapula Middle third of medial surface of Helps to flex and adduct arm Musculocutaneous n. (C5,
humerus C6, & C7)
5 Biceps brachii (short Tip of coracoid process of scapula
head) Tuberosity of radius and fascia of Musculocutaneous n. (C5 & If the short head and long head of the
Supinates forearm and, when supine, flexes biceps brachii are counted as one
forearm through bicipital aponeurosis C6) (APPLIES TO BOTH muscle, then there are 17 muscles that
6 Biceps brachii (long Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula forearm (APPLIES TO BOTH MUSCLES)
(APPLIES TO BOTH MUSCLES) MUSCLES) attach to the scapula
head)
INSERTIONS
7 Serratus anterior External surface of lateral parts of 1st to 8th Anterior surface of medial border of Protracts scapula and holds it against thoracic Long thoracic n. (C5, C6, &
ribs scapula wall; rotates scapula C7)
8 Pectoralis minor Ribs 3 through 5 Coracoid process of scapula Stabilizes scapula and draws it forward Medial pectoral n. (C8 &
T1)
Posterior View
ORIGINS
9 Supraspinatus Supraspinous fossa of scapula Superior facet on greater tubercle of Helps deltoid to abduct arm and acts with Suprascapular n. (C4, C5, & Rotator cuff muscle (2 of 4)
humerus rotator cuff muscles C6)
10 Deltoid Spine of scapula [and acromion and lateral Deltoid tuberosity of humerus Spinal (posterior) part: extends & laterally rotates Axillary n. (C5 & C6) Attached on the anterior (acromion)
third of clavicle] arm; [Acromial (middle) part: abducts arm; & posterior (spine) sides
Clavicular (anterior) part: flexes & medially
rotates arm]

11 Infraspinatus Infraspinous fossa of scapula Middle facet on greater tubercle of Suprascapular n. (C5 & C6) Rotator cuff muscle (3 of 4)
humerus
Laterally rotate arm; help to hold humeral
head in glenoid cavity of scapula (APPLIES TO
12 Teres minor Superior part of lateral border of scapula Inferior facet on greater tubercle of BOTH MUSCLES) Axillary n. (C5 & C6) Rotator cuff muscle (4 of 4)
humerus
13 Teres major Dorsal surface of inferior angle of scapula Crest of lesser tubercle (medial lip) of Adducts and medially rotates arm Lower subscapular n. (C5 The insertion is on the anterior view
humerus & C7)
14 Latissimus dorsi Spinous processes of T7-T12, thoracolumbar Floor of intertubercular (bicipital) Extends, adducts, and medially rotates Thoracodorsal nn. (C6, C7,
fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3 or 4 ribs, & inferior groove of humerus humerus; raises body toward arms during & C8)
angle of scapula climbing

INSERTIONS
15 Levator scapulae Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of Superior part of medial border of Elevates scapula & tilts its glenoid cavity Dorsal scapular (C5) &
C1-C4 vertebrae scapula inferiorly by rotating scapula cervical (C3 & C4) nn.
16 Trapezius Medial third of superior nuchal line; external Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, and Elevates, retracts, & rotates scapula; descending Spinal accessory nerve (CN
occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, and spine of scapula part elevates, transverse part retracts, & XI) & cervical nerves (C3 &
spinous processes of C7-T12 ascending part depresses scapula; descending & C4)
ascending part act together in superior rotation of
scapula

17 Rhomboid minor Nuchal ligament & spinous processes of C7 &

T1 vertebrae Medial border of scapula from level of Retracts scapula & rotates it to depress Dorsal scapular n. (C4 & C5)
spine to inferior angle (APPLIES TO glenoid cavity; fixes scapula to thoracic wall (APPLIES TO BOTH
BOTH MUSCLES) (APPLIES TO BOTH MUSCLES) MUSCLES)
 Medial border of scapula from level of Retracts scapula & rotates it to depress Dorsal scapular n. (C4 & C5)
spine to inferior angle (APPLIES TO glenoid cavity; fixes scapula to thoracic wall (APPLIES TO BOTH
18 Rhomboid major Spinous processes of T2-T5 vertebrae BOTH MUSCLES) (APPLIES TO BOTH MUSCLES) MUSCLES)