Levator scapulae is one of the muscles within the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck on each side. Its superior part is covered by sternomastoid; its inferior part is deep to trapezius.
It has a tendinous origin from the transverse processes of the upper three or four cervical vertebrae. For each, the origin is just posterior to the origins of scalenus medius.
Running inferiorly, the tendons become a unified muscular belly. This inserts into the vertebral border of the scapula between its superior angle and the base of the spine.
Innervation is derived from two sources:
Its functions are similar to the rhomboids:
Testing of levator scapulae is considered in the submenu.
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