Rhomboid minor muscle

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Rhomboid minor
Rhomboideus minor.png
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. (Rhomboid minor in red)
Details
Origin Nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7-T1
Insertion Medial border of scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle
Artery Deep branch of transverse cervical artery
Nerve Dorsal scapular nerve (C45)
Actions Retracts and rotates scapula, fixes scapula to thoracic wall
Antagonist Serratus anterior
Identifiers
Latin musculus rhomboideus minor
TA98 A04.3.01.008
TA2 2233
FMA 13380
Anatomical terms of muscle

In human anatomy, the rhomboid minor is a small skeletal muscle of the back that connects the scapula to the vertebrae of the spinal column. [1] It arises from the nuchal ligament, and the 7th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebrae and intervening supraspinous ligaments; it inserts onto the medial border of the scapula. It is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve.

Contents

It acts together with the rhomboid major to keep the scapula pressed against the thoracic wall. [2]

Anatomy

Origin

The rhomboid minor arises from the inferior border of the nuchal ligament, from the spinous processes of the vertebrae C7–T1, and from the intervening supraspinous ligaments. [3]

Insertion

It inserts onto a small area of the medial border of the scapula at the level of the scapular spine. [4]

Innervation

It is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve (a branch of the brachial plexus), with most of its fibers derived from the C5 nerve root and only minor contribution from C4 or C6. [5]

Blood supply

The rhomboid minor receives arterial blood supply from the dorsal scapular artery. [6]

Relations

It is located inferior to levator scapulae, and superior to rhomboid major.[ citation needed ]

It lies deep to trapezius, and superficial to the long spinal muscles. [3]

Variation

It is usually separated from the rhomboid major by a slight interval, but the adjacent margins of the two muscles are occasionally united. [7]

Actions/movements

Together with the rhomboid major, the rhomboid minor retracts the scapula when trapezius is contracted. Acting as a synergist to the trapezius, the rhomboid major and minor elevate the medial border of the scapula medially and upward, working in tandem with the levator scapulae muscle to rotate the scapulae downward. While other shoulder muscles are active, the rhomboid major and minor stabilize the scapula. [8]

Additional images

Related Research Articles

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The rhomboid major is a skeletal muscle of the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae of the spinal column. It originates from the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae T2–T5 and supraspinous ligament; it inserts onto the lower portion of the medial border of the scapula. It acts together with the rhomboid minor to keep the scapula pressed against thoracic wall and to retract the scapula toward the vertebral column.

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The Eden–Lange procedure is an orthopedic procedure to alleviate the symptoms of trapezius palsy when more conservative measures, such as spontaneous resolution and surgical nerve repair are not promising. The rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and levator scapulae muscles are transferred laterally along the scapula to replace the functions of the lower, middle, and upper fibers of the trapezius, respectively. The transferred muscles hold the scapula in a more medial and upwardly rotated position, without winging.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 434 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Farrell, Connor; Kiel, John (2024), "Anatomy, Back, Rhomboid Muscles", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   30521277 , retrieved August 19, 2024
  2. Platzer, W (2004). Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol. 1: Locomotor System (5th ed.). Thieme. p. 144. ISBN   1-58890-159-9.
  3. 1 2 "rhomboid minor (anatomy)" . GPnotebook.
  4. Origin, insertion and nerve supply of the muscle at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
  5. Martin, R. M.; Fish, D. E. (2007). "Scapular winging: anatomical review, diagnosis, and treatments". Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 1 (1): 1–11. doi:10.1007/s12178-007-9000-5. PMC   2684151 . PMID   19468892., p. 4
  6. Verenna, Anne-Marie A.; Alexandru, Daniela; Karimi, Afshin; Brown, Justin M.; Bove, Geoffrey M.; Daly, Frank J.; Pastore, Anthony M.; Pearson, Helen E.; Barbe, Mary F. (2016). "Dorsal Scapular Artery Variations and Relationship to the Brachial Plexus, and a Related Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Case". Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury. 11 (1): e21–e28. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1583756. ISSN   1749-7221. PMC   5152701 . PMID   28077957.
  7. Gray's Anatomy (1918), see infobox
  8. "Function (of rhomboid muscles)". GP Notebook. Retrieved January 28, 2011.