Anatomy-Lexicon

Trapezius muscle

anatomy

The Trapezius muscle, also called the hood muscle, is a large, flat shoulder muscle on the back of our body, named for its trapezoidal shape.
It consists of two triangular parts that together form a large square. It runs from the lower area of the back of the head, the so-called occiput, over the pointed ends of the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, also called the spinous processes.
The Trapezius muscle over the shoulder blades to the outer thirds of the collarbone. It therefore covers the entire area in the neck and shoulder area.

The Trapezius muscle is supplied by two nervous structures: On the one hand by the eleventh cranial nerve, the so-called. Accessory nerve. On the other hand, the supply takes place through parts of a nerve plexus in the neck area, the so-called. Cervical plexus.

function

The Trapezius muscle consists three shares, those different functions get:

The descending part, also Pars descendens called, forms the upper section of Trapezius muscle. Its origin lies in the area of the neck, the occiput and the cervical spine. From there the descending part of the Trapezius muscle to the outer shoulder blades and starts there.
Its function is Raise your shoulder and turn your head.
The one below transverse part of Trapezius muscle, the Pars transversa, arises from the thoracic vertebrae and attaches to a bony cusp, the so-called. Acromion, the highest point of the shoulder blades.
this part pulls the shoulder blades together.
The lower ascending part of Trapezius muscle, the pars ascendens, arises from the lower thoracic vertebrae and attaches to the back surface of the shoulder blades.
This part enables that Pulling the shoulders down downward. In short, the Trapezius muscle serves the Movement of the shoulder blades and thus makes that possible Carrying heavy loads, enables one Raise the arms over 90 °, one Rotation of the head as well as a Extension of the neck.

Diseases / symptoms

A paralysis of Trapezius muscle leads to Displacement of the muscle forward down. This leads to the picture of the so-called. Scapula alata, the wing-like protruding shoulder blade. It comes to one Depression of the shoulder on the affected side, the one Prevents the shoulders from lifting. Furthermore, the arm no longer over the horizontal be lifted by 90 °.

Read more about the topic here Scapula alata

Injuries to the muscle are rare but occur occasionally sports with movements of the shoulder joint. Pain in the area of the Trapezius muscle usually express themselves in the form of Tension in the neck muscles.
A special position comes to that Trapezius muscle as so-called myofascial trigger point to. In this form one circumscribed induration a portion of muscle can lead to a transfer of pain to other parts of the body. The Dissemination of the pain by the trapezius muscle occurs mainly in the Temple and occiput region.

causes

The main cause of dysfunction in the area of the Trapezius muscle is due to improper strain on the muscle. The complaints are often caused by bad posture, for example at work, by sitting for hours at a desk with the upper body pulled up, or by incorrectly exercising the Trapezius muscle caused by sport.
Because of these bad attitudes, he tends to Trapezius muscle to shorten and stretch. Stress of any kind can also be the cause of tension in the area of the Trapezius muscle come into question.

In addition, injuries of various degrees (accident, surgery, etc.) as well as the relieving posture of the body, which is usually assumed in pain, can result from injury, functional disorders of Trapezius muscle cause. Somewhat less often, diseases of the spine are the cause of the deformation of the spine in the area of the Trapezius muscle lead or the so-called cervical spine syndrome, in which there are complaints with a cause in the cervical spine.

Stretching / exercising

The Trapezius muscle is mainly used in the area of Weight training and bodybuilding trained. The training of the Trapezius muscle but is also suitable to Pain in the spine area to alleviate.

A completely isolated training of Trapezius muscle however, it is usually not possible. Popular training exercises are for example the so-called "Reverse Flys", with which standing, at straight back and head, Dumbbells along the side of the body and towards the shoulder or rowing exercises on the cable strap. Neck exercises can help Stretching and loosening of Trapezius muscle can be applied.

diagnosis

A Malfunction of Trapezius muscle about an examination of the muscles. At the Scan of Trapezius muscle can noticeable hardening be perceived by the examiner or by Applying pressure on the muscle triggering pain.

During the investigation will also the overall mobility the joints and muscles checked as well as the State of tension and force of the muscle. If the Trapezius muscle are these Properties of the muscle reduced in their function.
An examination method is on seated patient the patient tries his shoulders against the resistance exerted by the examiner to raise. Is to the patient the lifting of his shoulders only possible to a limited extent, this can be an indication of a malfunction in the area of the Trapezius muscle be.

Therapy / prognosis

In the first place should be the Elimination of bad posture of the body, for example on Workplace or through incorrectly performed sports exercises be mentioned. In addition, hardening and tension of the Trapezius muscle expertly through Physiotherapists or Masseurs be solved in several sessions.
Domestic resources the pain and tension in the area of the Trapezius muscle are able to alleviate Using hot water bottles, heating pads, red lights or a hot bath.

Medicinal there is the possibility of pain from the trapezius muscle Taking painkillers from the group of anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as. Ibuprofen or Diclofenac to alleviate. But they should not without consultation take with their doctor. There is also the possibility of using medication to relieve tension Trapezius muscle about the Administration of a so-called muscle relaxant to solve.

in the Sports area is common to the Use of kinesio tapes resorted to the tension in the Neck and shoulder area should reduce.

If the incorrect strain on the trapezius muscle is removed and prophylaxis is carried out regularly, functional disorders can heal completely. However, the affected trapezius muscle tends to be prone to renewed tension.

prophylaxis

It should be at persistent improper loads of Trapezius muscle in everyday life one Change in habits be made. Bad posture at the desk should be recognized and eliminated, e.g. by correctly adjusting your office chair, table height and monitor.
You should also make sure that you have the one-sided carrying of loads, e.g. the shopping bag, avoids. A wrong mattress should also be considered as a trigger.

A right performed warm-up training before exercise reduces the susceptibility to dysfunction of the Trapezius muscle. Also make sure that you have the stretching during sports not in the painful area carry out.