| Rhomboid minor | |
|---|---|
| Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. (Rhomboid minor in red) | |
| Latin | musculus rhomboideus minor |
| Gray's | subject #121 434 |
| Origin | nuchal ligaments and spinous processes of C7–T1 |
| Insertion | medial border of scapula |
| Artery | dorsal scapular artery |
| Nerve | dorsal scapular nerve (C4–5) |
| Actions | Retracts and rotates scapula, fixes scapula to thoracic wall |
| Antagonist | serratus anterior |
In human anatomy, the rhomboid minor is a small skeletal muscle on the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae of the spinal column.
Located inferior to levator scapulae and superior to rhomboid major, it acts together with the latter to keep the scapula pressed against the thoracic wall. It lies deep to trapezius but superficial to the long spinal muscles.[1]
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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, both rhomboids 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 rhomboids stabilize the scapula. [3]
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]
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This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.