Functional Rehab Academy
Rhomboid
Muscle origin
Nuchal ligament, Spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T5
Muscle insertion
Medial border of scapula from inferior angle to root of spine of scapula
Muscle function
Elevation, adduction and medial rotation of Scapula. Rotation of C7-T5 to opposite side.
Nerve innervation
C4-5 (Lovett reactor L1-2)
Primary muscle type
Phasic / Type I (65-75%)
Myofascial lines
Primary inhibatory muscles
- Trapezius upper
- Opposite Rhomboid
- Pectoralis major
- Pectoralis minor
- Infraspinatus
- Deltoid
- Biceps brachii
- Triceps
- Opposite Tensor fascia
Related joints
- C7-T5
- Thoracoscapular joint
Major
Client is supine with the elbow in a 90 deg. flexion and shoulder in 25 deg. abduction and neutral rotation. Stabilize the shoulder and apply pressure around the elbow towards shoulder abduction – trying to pull the elbow away from the body.
Minor
Client is supine with the elbow in a 90 deg. flexion and shoulder in 25 deg. abduction and full external rotation. Stabilize the shoulder and apply pressure around the elbow towards shoulder abduction – trying to pull the elbow away from the body.
Functional anatomy for
Rhomboid
Organ relationship (T1-10, n. Vagus)
- Heart (FA)
- Symp – T1-6 (Cardiac plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
- Lungs (FA)
- Symp – T2-T6 (Pulmonary plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
- Liver (AK)
- Symp T5-10 (Celiac plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
Associated muscles
- Levator scapula – Same side: Elevation and medial rotation of Scapula / Opposite side: Rotation of neck and head to opposite site
- Scalenes – Stability and rotation of C7 to opposite side
- Longus Colli mid and lower – Stability and rotation of C7-T3 to opposite side
- Trapezius upper – Elevation and adduction of scapula
- Trapezius mid both sides – Adduction of Scapula and rotation of C7-T4 to opposite side
- Trapezius lower – Adduction of Scapula and pull pattern
- Multifidus Cx both sides – Stability and rotation of C7-T1 to opposite side
- Serratus anterior – Cocontraction and stability of Scapula
- Supraspinatus – Deep back arm line
- Infrapinatus – Deep back arm line
- Subscapularis – Deep back arm line
- Triceps brachii – Deep back arm line