Rhomboid minor muscle

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Rhomboid minor
Rhomboideus minor.png
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. (Rhomboid minor in red)
Latin musculus rhomboideus minor
Gray's p.434
Origin nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7–T1
Insertion Medial border of scapula, superior to the insertion of rhomboid major muscle
Artery Deep branch transverse cervical artery
Nerve dorsal scapular nerve (C4–5)
Actions Retracts and rotates scapula, fixes scapula to thoracic wall
Antagonist serratus anterior
Anatomical terms of muscle



Origin and insertion[edit]

The rhomboid minor arises from the inferior border of the nuchal ligament, from the spinous processes of the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebrae, and from the intervening supraspinous ligaments. [1]

It is inserted into a small area of the medial border of the scapula at the level of the scapular spine. [2]


Together with the rhomboid major, the rhomboid minor retracts the scapula when trapezius is contracted. Acting as an antagonist to the trapezius, the rhomboid major and minor elevate the medial border of the scapula medially and upward, working in tandem with the levator scapulae muscle to rotate the scapulae downward. While other shoulder muscles are active, the rhomboid major and minor stabilize the scapula. [3]

Innervation and blood supply[edit]

The nerve supply comes from the dorsal scapular nerve, with most of its fibers derived from the C5 nerve root and only minor contribution from C4 or C6. [4]

The rhomboid minor gets its arterial blood supply from the dorsal scapular artery.


It is usually separated from the rhomboid major by a slight interval, but the adjacent margins of the two muscles are occasionally united. [5]

Additional images[edit]

Position of rhomboid minor muscle (shown in red). 
Left scapula. Dorsal surface. 
The scapular and circumflex arteries. 


  1. ^ a b 194641998 at GPnotebook
  2. ^ Origin, insertion and nerve supply of the muscle at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
  3. ^ "Function (of rhomboid muscles)". GP Notebook. Retrieved January 2011. 
  4. ^ Martin, R. M.; Fish, D. E. (2007). "Scapular winging: anatomical review, diagnosis, and treatments". Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 1 (1): 1. doi:10.1007/s12178-007-9000-5. PMC 2684151. PMID 19468892.  edit, p. 4
  5. ^ Gray's Anatomy (1918), see infobox


External links[edit]