Massage.
MuscleBackintermediateDraft

Rhomboid minorMusculus rhomboideus minor

Small band-like muscle from the base of the neck to the top of the scapula's medial border that retracts the scapula and holds it against the ribs.

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LatinMusculus rhomboideus minor
Origin
  • Lower part of the ligamentum nuchae
  • Spinous processes of C7–T1
Insertion
  • Medial border of the scapula at the level of the root of the spine of the scapula
Action
  • Retracts the scapula (draws it towards the spine)
  • Downwardly rotates the scapula
  • Holds the scapula against the thoracic wall
NerveDorsal scapular nerve (C4–C5)
NameGreek rhombos, a diamond shape; 'minor' because it is the smaller of the two rhomboids.

Palpation

  1. Client prone with the arms by the sides; stand beside the table.
  2. Find the C7 spinous process and the root of the spine of the scapula (where the spine meets the medial border).
  3. Place the fingers on the narrow band between these two points, deep to the trapezius, just above rhomboid major.
  4. Ask the client to rest the back of the hand on the lower back and lift it slightly; feel the band tighten.

Landmarks: C7 spinous process · Medial border of scapula · Spine of scapula

Rhomboid minor is a narrow strip just above Rhomboid major, and the two are sometimes joined. In practice you work them together with the middle Trapezius when you massage between the scapula and the spine. It lies below Levator scapulae, which attaches higher up the same border.

The sources differ slightly on nerve roots. Wikipedia gives the dorsal scapular nerve as C4–C5 (mostly C5), while Gray’s (1918) gives C5 only.

Techniques

  • Effleurage — Long, gliding strokes with the whole palm that spread the medium, warm the tissue and link the other strokes together.
  • Petrissage — Kneading strokes that compress, lift and squeeze the muscle away from the bone, working the tissue between the hands.
  • Circular friction — Small circles made with the finger or thumb pads that move the skin over the deeper tissue without sliding, to work a specific spot.
  • Compression — Pressing straight down into a muscle with the palm, fist or forearm, holding briefly, then releasing and moving on.

Works with

  • Rhomboid major — Diamond-shaped muscle between the spine and the shoulder blade that pulls the scapula towards the spine and holds it against the ribs.
  • Trapezius — Large diamond-shaped muscle of the upper back and neck that moves and stabilises the scapula.
  • Levator scapulae — Strap-like muscle at the back and side of the neck that lifts the scapula and helps bend and turn the neck to the same side.

Opposes

  • Serratus anterior — Saw-toothed muscle on the side of the ribcage that pulls the scapula forwards around the chest and helps rotate it upwards.
  • Pectoralis minor — Thin, triangular muscle under pectoralis major that draws the scapula forwards and down against the chest wall.

Used in routines

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, Rhomboid minor muscle
  2. Gray's Anatomy (1918), IV. Myology 7a: The Muscles Connecting the Upper Extremity to the Vertebral Column (Public domain; Bartleby edition read via the Internet Archive.)