Muscles Attached to the Scapula

A significant number of muscles (17) are attached to the scapula because of its large surface area, keeping it fixed to the thoracic wall and allowing movement. These muscles are divided into groups according to where they originate or insert into the scapula.

Table of Contents

• Muscles Originating from the Scapula
• Muscles Inserting into the Scapula
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Muscles Originating from the Scapula

1. Supraspinatus muscle: It distances the arm from the body and originates from the supraspinous fossa.
2. Deltoid muscle: It begins at the acromion’s lateral border and travels down the lower border of the spine’s crest.
3. Triceps brachii muscle: It arises from the infraglenoid tubercle. It induces elbow extension.
4. Infraspinatus muscle: It is responsible for shoulder lateral rotation and arises from the infraspinous fossa.
5. Teres major muscle: It originates from the lower portion of the lateral border and the posterior surface of the inferior angle.
6. Teres minor muscle: This muscle performs lateral rotation at the shoulder joint and arises from the axillary or lateral border of the posterior surface.
7. Coracobrachialis muscle: It originates from the coracoid process. It is connected to shoulder joint retraction and depression.
8. Latissimus dorsi muscle: Arising from the inferior angle, it undertakes various activities, like retraction and protraction of the arm.
9. Subscapularis muscle: It arises from the subscapular fossa and is responsible for medial rotation and compression of the shoulder joint.
10. Biceps brachii muscle (short and long head): While the short head originates from the coracoid process, the long head arises from the supraglenoid tubercle.
11. Omohyoid muscle: It is located on the superior border, next to the suprascapular notch, and it depresses the hyoid bone.

Muscles Inserting into the Scapula

1. Levator scapulae muscle: This muscle gets inserted into the superior angle and medial border. They assist in lifting the scapula.
2. Trapezius muscle: This muscle is superiorly inserted along the spine, acromion, and clavicle.
3. Rhomboid minor muscle: It gets inserted above the spine of the scapula. The scapula is elevated and retracted as a result of its actions.
4. Rhomboid major muscle: It is inserted at the medial border. It elevates and retracts the scapula.
5. Pectoralis minor muscle: This muscle inserts into the coracoid process. Scapula depression and protraction are facilitated by it.
6. Serratus anterior muscle: It inserts from the superior to the inferior angle along the medial border. It rotates, stabilises, and protracts the scapula.

Related Links:

• What is Acromion?
• Where is Scapula Bone located?
• What are the Functions of the Human Skeletal System?

Main Page: BYJU’S NEET