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Rhomboideus minor
Other Terms:
Rhomboideus minor,
Rhomboid minor muscle,
Musculus rhomboideus minor,
Muscle petit rhomboïde
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus rhomboideus minor
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Pectoral girdle muscle
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the small 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 minor comes from the Greek meion meaning “lesser.” As is typical in anatomical terminology, this comparative reference clues you into the fact that this is a smaller version of a similar shaped larger muscle.
Origin
Lower end of nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7 and T1.
Insertion
Medial margin of the scapula between the base of the scapular spine and the superior angle.
Action
Adduction (retraction) of the scapula – the fibers of this small muscle assist the rhomboideus major and the middle fibers of the trapezius muscle in adducting the scapula. Elevation of the scapula – the fibers of the rhomboideus minor work in concert with the levator scapulae muscle to elevate the scapula. 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 minor
French
Muscle petit rhomboïde
