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The Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are two muscles localized on the second layers of muscles of the shoulder girdle, underneath the Trapezius Muscle.
Both muscles can be considered stabilizers of the scapula, attaching it to the spine.
The Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are not only stabilizers of the scapula during the movement of the arm a shoulder itself, but they are able to move the scapula too, as we are going to show you later on.
The rhomboid major muscle, along with the rhomboid minor and other muscles of the upper back and shoulder, works in coordination to facilitate proper shoulder movement and stability.
The Rhomboid Minor muscle connects the superior medial margin of the scapula with the cervical and thorax tract of the spine.
Origin of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle:
Attachment of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle:
Innervation of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle:
The Rhomboid Minor muscle is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve ( C4-C5 ).
The Rhomboid Major muscle connects the superior medial margin of the scapula with the cervical and thorax tract of the spine.
Origin of the Rhomboid Major Muscle:
Attachment of the Rhomboid Major Muscle:
Innervation of the Rhomboid Major Muscle:
The Rhomboid Major muscle is innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve ( C4-C5 ).
The rhomboid minor muscle plays a crucial role in both movement and stability of the scapula
The main actions of the Rhomboid Minor Muscle are:
The rhomboid major muscle, as the Rhomboid Minor muscle, plays a crucial role in both movement and stability of the scapula
The main actions of the Rhomboid Major Muscle are:
Both the Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles, together with other muscles such as the Trapezius muscle, Levator Scapulae muscle, and Serratus Posterior Superior muscle, are the main stabilizers muscle of the scapula.
These muscles are engaged in isometric contraction, even when there is no big or real scapula movement.
For example, even when you do hummer curl exercise, where the main muscle involved in the movement is the Biceps Brachii Muscle, all the stabilizer muscles of the scapula, are engaged in isometric contraction to maintain the scapula in a steady position.
Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are essential for activities like pulling movements, such as rowing or pulling a heavy object toward you, and contribute to overall posture and shoulder function.
They are involved in the pushing movement too, such as push-ups and press-ups, which are essential the scapula stabilization, elevation, and rotation.
The most common sports injuries of the Rhomboid Major and Minor muscles are that ones caused by repetitive movement or overuse of the shoulder girdle and arms.
Poor posture could be another cause of Rhomboid muscle injury as it can place constant stress on the rhomboid muscles.
The most common rhomboid muscle injuries include:
Treatments for Rhomboids muscle injury can vary depending on the cause and entity of the muscle injury.
Treatment for rhomboid muscle injuries when there is an active inflammation process, typically involves rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
Sports therapy such as sports massage to alleviate muscle tightness and discomfort, after the acute inflammation phase, is advisable.
Exercises to strengthen the rhomboids and improve posture are often prescribed if the cause of the sports injury is weak rhomboids.
Severe injuries, such as muscle tears, may require medical evaluation and, in rare cases, surgical intervention.
If there is a muscle tear is important to do a specific physiotherapy treatment for muscle tears, to avoid the formation of excessive scar tissue or adhesions.
It’s important to address any persistent or severe rhomboid muscle issues with the guidance of a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
