trapezius
English
editEtymology
editUnknown but likely derived from Ancient Greek τράπεζα (trápeza).
Pronunciation
editNoun
edittrapezius (plural trapezii or trapeziuses)
- (anatomy) A large vertebrate skeletal muscle divided into an ascending, descending, and transverse portion, attaching the neck and central spine to the outer extremity of the scapula; it functions in scapular elevation, adduction, and depression.
- The trapezius muscle resembles a trapezium (trapezoid in American English), or diamond-shaped quadrilateral. The word "spinotrapezius" refers to the human trapezius, although it is not commonly used in modern texts. In other mammals, it refers to a portion of the analogous muscle.
Synonyms
edit- (muscle): trapezius muscle
Related terms
editTranslations
editlarge vertebrate skeletal muscle
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