JOINT ACTIONS OF INTEREST
&
MUSCLES MOST INVOLVED FOR EACH ACTION
Scapular (Shoulder Girdle) Actions:
Elevation: upward movement (shoulder shrug)
Depression: downward movement (return from shoulder shrug)
Abduction: (protraction) away from the vertebral column – baseball stretch
Adduction: (retraction) toward vertebral column – pinching shoulder blades together
Upward Rotation: scapula’s inferior angle moving away from midline – raising arms
Downward Rotation: scapula’s inferior angle towards midline – return from raising arms
ELEVATION upward movement – going against gravity
Upper Trapezius {Relative Position to Relevant Landmark:}
Superficial muscle 3 sections (upper, middle & lower) posterior
Proximal Attachment: base of skull, occipital bone, posterior ligament of neck and spinous process of the last cervical and all the thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: posterior aspect of the lateral third clavicle
Innervation: spinal accessory (cranial XI) nerve
Levator Scapula {Relative Position to Relevant Landmark:}
Deep lying muscle Lateral posterior
Proximal Attachment: upper four cervical vertebrae on the transverse processes
Distal Attachment: superior angle of the scapula (medial border of scapula above spine)
Innervation: dorsal scapular nerve
Rhomboids {Relative Position to Relevant Landmark:}(all covered up)
Deep lying Diagonal orientation – between vertebral column & scapula posterior
Proximal Attachment: spinous processes of last cervical and first five thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: vertebral (medial) border of the scapula on its posterior aspect
Innervation: scapular nerve
DEPRESSION downward movement – going with gravity
Pectoralis Minor {Relative Position to Relevant Landmark:}
Anterior Diagonal orientation – also vertical alignment
Proximal Attachment: exterior surface of the third to fifth ribs
Distal Attachment: