Levator Scapulae Flashcards

Study the levator scapulae muscle, including its cervical attachments, nerve supply, blood supply, actions, and anatomical relationships.

Card 1 of 23Question

What type of back muscle is the levator scapulae?

A superficial extrinsic back muscle connecting the cervical vertebrae to the scapula.

In This Section

1. What type of back muscle is the levator scapulae?

A superficial extrinsic back muscle connecting the cervical vertebrae to the scapula.

2. Where is the levator scapulae located?

Along the posterolateral neck, extending from the upper cervical vertebrae to the superior medial scapula.

3. What is the origin of the levator scapulae?

The posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C1 to C4 vertebrae.

4. Where does the levator scapulae insert?

The medial border of the scapula between the superior angle and the root of the scapular spine.

5. What is the general direction of the levator scapulae muscle fibers?

Inferolaterally from the upper cervical vertebrae toward the superior medial scapula.

6. Which nerve provides the principal motor innervation of the levator scapulae?

The dorsal scapular nerve.

7. Which spinal nerve root primarily contributes to the dorsal scapular nerve?

C5.

8. Which additional nerves directly supply the levator scapulae?

Branches from the anterior rami of C3 and C4 spinal nerves.

9. From which part of the brachial plexus does the dorsal scapular nerve usually arise?

The C5 root of the brachial plexus.

10. Which artery commonly provides the principal blood supply to the levator scapulae?

The dorsal scapular artery, with contributions from nearby cervical arterial branches.

11. Which artery may contribute to the blood supply of the superior portion of the levator scapulae?

The ascending cervical artery.

12. What is the primary action of the levator scapulae when the cervical spine is fixed?

Elevation of the scapula.

13. What rotational movement of the scapula is produced by the levator scapulae?

Downward rotation, moving the glenoid cavity inferiorly.

14. What movement can unilateral contraction of the levator scapulae produce when the scapula is fixed?

Ipsilateral lateral flexion of the cervical spine.

15. What movement can bilateral contraction of the levator scapulae assist when the scapulae are fixed?

Extension of the cervical spine.

16. Which superficial muscle covers much of the superior portion of the levator scapulae?

The sternocleidomastoid muscle.

17. Which muscle covers the inferior portion of the levator scapulae near its scapular insertion?

The trapezius muscle.

18. Which muscles lie deep to the upper portion of the levator scapulae?

The splenius cervicis and middle scalene muscles.

19. Which anatomical triangle contains an exposed portion of the levator scapulae?

The posterior triangle of the neck.

20. Which muscle works with the levator scapulae to produce downward rotation of the scapula?

The rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscles.

21. What is the relationship between the dorsal scapular nerve and the middle scalene muscle?

The nerve commonly pierces the middle scalene before descending toward the levator scapulae and rhomboids.

22. How can dysfunction of the levator scapulae affect neck and shoulder movement?

It may impair scapular elevation and contribute to painful or restricted cervical movement.

23. Where is myofascial pain associated with the levator scapulae commonly experienced?

Along the posterolateral neck and superior medial border of the scapula.