[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) › Levator scapulae [Muscular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/muscular-system/) · [Spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) # Levator scapulae The levator scapulae runs from the upper neck vertebrae to the shoulder blade; it lifts the shoulder blade and is a common site of neck pain. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=spine&select=levator_scapulae&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A muscle from the upper four neck vertebrae to the top corner of the shoulder blade. ## What it does Lifts the shoulder blade and bends the neck to the same side; a common place for 'knots' and neck pain. ## Key points - Part of the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck; the spinal accessory nerve crosses on the fascia over it toward trapezius - Shrugs the shoulder with the [upper trapezius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/descending-part-of-trapezius-muscle/) but rotates the glenoid down, while trapezius rotates it up - Transferred with the [rhomboids](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rhomboid-major-muscle/) (Eden–Lange procedure) to replace a paralysed trapezius ## Key facts **Origin** Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1–C4 **Insertion** Medial border of scapula from superior angle to root of the [spine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/spine/) **Action** Elevates scapula and rotates glenoid inferiorly; lateral flexion of the neck **Nerve** Dorsal scapular nerve (C5) and cervical nerves (C3–C4) **Blood supply** Dorsal scapular and transverse cervical arteries ## Relations **Superficial** [Sternocleidomastoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternocleidomastoid-muscle/) above and [trapezius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trapezius-muscle/) below; in the posterior triangle only fascia, [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) and the [accessory nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/accessory-nerve/) cover it **In front** Middle and posterior [scalenes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scalenus-anterior-muscle/); the [dorsal scapular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-scapular-nerve/) comes out through the middle scalene near its front edge **Behind** [Splenius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/splenius-capitis-muscle/) capitis and splenius cervicis **Below** Superior angle of the [scapula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/scapula/), continued below by [rhomboid minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rhomboid-minor/) ## How to find it With the shoulder shrugged and the neck bent to the same side, it is felt in the posterior triangle behind the posterior edge of sternocleidomastoid; its attachment at the superior angle of the scapula is felt through trapezius. ## On imaging On axial MRI or CT it runs from the upper cervical transverse processes to the superior angle of the scapula, in the floor of the posterior triangle behind sternocleidomastoid. Ultrasound shows it at the superior angle, a common pain site where injections are guided. After accessory nerve injury, MRI or CT shows trapezius atrophy while levator scapulae, with its own nerves, is spared. ## Clinical notes - In lymph node biopsy in the posterior triangle the accessory nerve, lying on the fascia over it, is the structure at risk - Eden–Lange transfer: moving its insertion and the rhomboids laterally on the scapula can restore shoulder function after a permanent accessory nerve palsy ## Anatomical variants - Origin and insertion vary: the number of slips from the cervical transverse processes and how far its insertion runs on the scapula differ between people ## Development Forms in the lower neck and migrates down to the scapula, taking its nerves with it; this is why it is supplied by cervical nerves (C3–C4 and the dorsal scapular nerve, C5) though it acts on the shoulder blade. ## Related conditions - [Torticollis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/torticollis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the attachments of the levator scapulae? From the posterior tubercles of the C1–C4 transverse processes to the medial border of the scapula, superior angle to spine root. ## What nerve supplies the levator scapulae? The dorsal scapular nerve (C5), with cervical nerves C3–C4. ## How does the levator scapulae differ from the upper trapezius in scapular rotation? Both shrug the shoulder, but the levator scapulae rotates the glenoid down while the trapezius rotates it up. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/levator-scapulae/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** levator scapulae TA2 2234 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculo elevador de la escápula DeCS D064171 **English (TA2)** Levator scapulae **Also called** levator scapulae muscle ## Related - [Splenius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/splenius-capitis-muscle/) - [Neck nerve roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-root-of-spinal-nerve/) - [Brachial plexus roots](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/roots-of-brachial-plexus/) - [Axis (C2)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=55180&filter=ths_termall&q=M%C3%BAsculos%20Superficiales%20de%20la%20Espalda); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Levator Scapulae Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553120/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Muscles (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levator-scapulae/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/levator-scapulae/