trapezius muscle: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

Illustration of the human neck showing labeled muscles, arteries, veins, and bones, including the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, mylohyoid, trapezius, carotid artery, jugular vein, clavicle, and thyroid cartilage.

An anatomical illustration of the human upper limb and chest from the front, showing labeled muscles such as the deltoid, pectoralis major, biceps, triceps, and serratus anterior, along with the cephalic vein and thoracoacromial artery.

Anatomical illustration of a cat in side view with its trunk and limb muscles exposed and labeled, showing major muscle groups such as trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteus, and biceps femoris.

Illustration of the human back showing labeled muscles including trapezius, deltoid, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, rhomboids, and gluteus maximus, with detailed anatomical structure.

Posterior anatomical illustration of the human muscular system showing major back, arm, and leg muscles labeled, including trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius.

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

acromion torso muscle abdominal muscle pectoralis muscle diaphragm intercostalis muscle human muscle system hamstring cardiac muscle gluteus muscle Why Does Heat Relax Your Muscles?flexor muscle