Rhomboid major muscle
Musculus rhomboideus major
- Related terms: Rhomboid major
Definition
Origin: Spinous processes of the T2 to T5 vertebrae
Insertion: Medial border of the scapula, inferior to the insertion of rhomboid minor muscle
Artery: Dorsal scapular artery
Nerve: Dorsal scapular nerve (C4 andC5)
Action: Retracts the scapula and rotates it to depress the glenoid cavity. It also fixes the scapula to the thoracic wall.
Antagonist: Serratus anterior muscle
Description:
The Rhomboideus major arises by tendinous fibers from the spinous processes of the second, third, fourth, and fifth thoracic vertebrae and the supraspinal ligament, and is inserted into a narrow tendinous arch, attached above to the lower part of the triangular surface at the root of the spine of the scapula; below to the inferior angle, the arch being connected to the vertebral border by a thin membrane. When the arch extends, as it occasionally does, only a short distance, the muscular fibers are inserted directly into the scapula.