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Test: Levator Scapula - Palpation

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Background/Purpose

Origin: Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 - C4 vertebrae
Insertion: Superior part of medial border of scapula
Artery: dorsal scapular artery
Nerve: cervical nerve (C3, C4) and dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Actions: Elevates scapula and tilts its glenoid cavity inferiorly by rotating scapula

Procedure

Have the subject prone or seated with the hand on the small of the back.
Palpate the levator scapula from the superior angle of the scapula up to the insertion at C1-4.
It may be helpful to perform strumming perpendicular to the muscle fibers.
The muscle lies deep to the trapezius muscle so be sure to differentiate the two.
It can be helpful to have the subject elevate the shoulder towards the head.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Palpation of the levator scapula muscle.

Criteria

No pain or tenderness
No hypertonicity or tension

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

Scale/Grading

selection range; grade - LOINC ID

Test Stats

Side Pass Fail
Left 33 94
Right 36 91
Avg. Measure. Left 0.0 0.0
Avg. Measure. - Right 0.0 0.0

Regions
Cervical	Thoracic	Lumbar	Pelvic
Hip/Thigh	Knee/Calf	Ankle	Foot
Shoulder/Arm	Elbow/Forearm	Wrist	Hand
Head	TMJ	Systemic