Advanced Rhomboid Major Quiz

Q1. Why does the inferolateral fiber direction of rhomboid major favor scapular retraction?

• It acts only on the humeral head
• Its line of pull draws the medial scapular border toward the vertebral column
• It pulls the inferior angle directly anteriorly
• It pulls the glenoid directly away from the vertebral column

Q2. How does rhomboid major contribute mechanically to downward rotation of the scapula?

• It pulls the inferior angle strongly laterally
• It draws the lower medial scapula toward the vertebral column
• It elevates the acromion without moving the medial border
• It acts through the humeral shaft

Q3. Why can dorsal scapular nerve injury weaken both scapular retraction and downward rotation?

• It denervates important retractors and downward rotators of the scapula
• It interrupts the spinal accessory nerve
• It paralyzes serratus anterior alone
• It denervates the deltoid and supraspinatus

Q4. How can rhomboid weakness alter the position of the medial scapular border?

• The clavicle dislocates in every case
• The glenoid always rotates upward permanently
• The scapula may drift laterally with reduced medial border stabilization
• The scapula becomes fused to the thoracic wall

Q5. What anatomical plane separates rhomboid major from trapezius?

• A connective tissue plane deep to trapezius
• The pleural cavity
• The vertebral canal
• The subacromial bursa

Q6. Why are the dorsal scapular nerve and vessels clinically relevant during medial scapular dissection?

• They pass only through the axillary artery
• They lie entirely anterior to the sternum
• They travel in close relation to the rhomboids and medial scapular border
• They are contained within the glenohumeral joint

Q7. How does rhomboid major interact with the middle fibers of trapezius during scapular retraction?

• Both contribute to scapular retraction
• They are strict antagonists in all actions
• Neither acts on the scapula
• Both primarily protract the scapula

Q8. How does rhomboid major differ from serratus anterior in their effects on the medial scapular border?

• Both muscles only downwardly rotate the scapula
• Both muscles only retract the scapula
• Rhomboid major acts on the humerus while serratus anterior acts on the elbow
• Rhomboid major retracts while serratus anterior protracts the scapula

Q9. Why does rhomboid major have an important role during controlled lowering of an elevated upper limb?

• It produces primary humeral abduction
• It extends the elbow to lower the arm
• It contracts the diaphragm to lower the shoulder
• It helps control downward rotation and medial stabilization of the returning scapula

Q10. Which statement best integrates rhomboid major anatomy and function?

• It links upper thoracic vertebrae to the medial scapula and functions in retraction, downward rotation, and stabilization
• It arises from ribs and inserts on the humerus to medially rotate the arm
• It is an intrinsic back muscle that extends the vertebral column
• It links the cervical transverse processes to the superior angle and primarily elevates the scapula