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Rhomboideus major
Other Terms:
Rhomboideus major,
Rhomboid major muscle,
Musculus rhomboideus major,
Muscle grand rhomboïde
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus rhomboideus major
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Pectoral girdle muscle
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the large magician’s circle, or oblique angled parallelogram-shaped muscle. The term rhomboid is derived from the Greek rhombos meaning “a magician’s circle,” a shape represented by an oblique angled parallelogram, and the Greek ending eidos meaning “shape”. The term major comes from the Latin maior meaning “greater.” As is typical in anatomical terminology, this comparative reference clues you into the fact that this is a larger version of a similar shaped smaller muscle.
Origin
Spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae 2 through 5.
Insertion
Medial margin of the scapula between the base of the scapular spine and the inferior angle.
Action
Adduction (retraction) of the scapula – all of the muscle fibers participate in producing adduction of the scapula. Elevation of the scapula – the upper fibers of the muscle that attach near the base of the scapular spine participate in elevation of the scapula. Downward rotation of the glenoid cavity – the lower fibers of the muscle that insert near the inferior angle of the scapula participate in rotating the glenoid cavity downward. Working with the other scapular muscles, this muscle helps to stabilize the scapula and its associated glenoid cavity to improve the functional efficiency of the muscles working at the shoulder joint.
Nerve supply
Dorsal scapular nerve (C4 and C5)
Blood supply
Dorsal scapular artery, or its variation the deep branch of the transverse cervical artery and posterior perforating branches of the upper posterior intercostal arteries.
Latin
Musculus rhomboideus major
French
Muscle grand rhomboïde
