What muscles are between the shoulder blades?

Have you ever experienced discomfort or pain between your shoulder blades? It could be due to various reasons, including muscle strain or inflammation. But what muscles are located between the shoulder blades exactly that cause this kind of agony? Let’s find out and explore them in detail.

The Complex Muscular Space

Fun Fact: Did you know that the space between the shoulders is known as ‘The Scapular-Rhomboid Region’? It sounds fancy, doesn’t it?

Before we delve into specific muscles found in this region, let’s talk about how complex it truly is. This muscle group isn’t just one single entity—it consists of multiple small layers connected intricately with other surrounding muscles.

This area serves many functions ranging from supporting arm movement to providing stability for our upper body. Due to its unique structure and role in body mechanics, any disruptions within these muscular spaces tend not only to be painful but can negatively affect daily activities too.

Introducing Rhomboids!

Rhomboid Major & Minor – now that sounds like a superhero duo! These guys work tirelessly together 24/7 keeping our shoulders stable while standing or sitting up straight.

Although they’re situated beneath the trapezius (we’ll get onto him later), their crucial role deserves acknowledgment beyond mediocrity.

Rhomboideus Major

We humans never fail when it comes down to making things complicated- why pronounce something simply when we can turn it into a tongue twister instead? Rho-mfidooss M-Eye-Jor… ok then.

Anyway, back on topic – rhomboideus major starts at T2/T3 vertebrae (the ones towards armpits) before moving outwardly until attaching itself around border vertebral spines of scapula (shoulder blade).
When activated by Upper Thoracic Nerve roots C4/C5, the square-shaped muscle pulls shoulder blades closer to the spinal column.

Tips To Train Rhomboid Major

• Perform resistance band rowing exercises with a focus on scapula retraction
• Practice holding modified plank postures

Rhomboideus Minor

Rhombo-minor (literally no superhero name material) is much smaller than rhombo-major by width and thickness. It sits above and parallel to its larger counterpart- both being separated by serratus anterior.

Arising from T1/T2 vertebrae this modestly sized muscle passes perpendicularly across inner edge of scapula.
Remember when we said they work together tirelessly? We meant it, as without our littlest guy’s assistance giving extra pull between backbones and blade wouldn’t be possible.

Tips To Train Rhomboid Minor

• Place rolled towel beneath upper chest, lying face down – then lift chest along with arms off ground whilst retracting shoulder blades
• Hold lightweight dumbbell or weight plate in hand and then perform raises that include rear deltoids

Meet Trapezius

The next body part starring within ‘scapular-rhomboid’ region is one of our favorite muscles- the trapezius!

A broad diamond shaped slab runs throughout-upon neck all way till midback- basically covering whole height aligns from ears top till waistbottom framing spine like Christmas decoration.

Although super important – over usage can manifest as painful tension headaches.

Upper Fibers of Trapezius

Individually working closest towards skull base at occipital bone/upper area cervical vertebral spines (C1-C4/C5); UFT elevates shoulders evenly alongside other actions such as rotational movement during arm abduction maneuvers.

Workouts For Upper Fibers Of Trapezius

• Seated cable rows using close grip handles
• Shrugs with dumbbells

Middle Fibers of Trapezius

Additional cross-functional muscle fibers connect with rhomboids as well on lower vertebrae spines ( C6/C7-T1) before curving outwards wrapping over upper shoulder into deltoid trifecta also known as lateral bone’s edges.

Workouts For Middle Fibers Of Trapezius

• Single-arm cable face pulls
• Upright rows using kettlebells or bar

Latissimus Dorsi

We’re thinking a catchy name stat! The Lat-Lat sound odd no matter how we bend it around; What do you suggest?

Latissimus dorsi aka ‘The Lats’, checks notes again, originates from Brazilian coastline – wait, wrong note! Sorry! We must apologize— It attaches itself to the thoracic region featuring lumbar and sacral spine/illiac crest besides sticking along ribs 8-12 – sweet simplicity?

Yielding internal rotation along arm extension, lat pulldowns worked frequently in workouts help build strength within scapular muscles allowing stronger support towards upper bodyplates.

Exercises for Lats

• Pull-ups
• One Arm Rows

Serratus Anterior

Partly covering side walls of ribcage beneath armpit resting between pectorals & lats is serratus anterior. Named after saw blade pattern comprising each of this muscle strand culminates onto inferior border pertaining shoulder blade otherwise known Scapula.

Complete contraction underneath acts analogue akin windscreen wiper movement possessed by transitioning shoulders forward / upward phases parting away potential musculoskeletal damage done during reduction forces when object lifted overhead maximizes form where manifolds require bidirection movement.

Exercises for Serratus Anterior

• Pushups
• Box Jumps

Conclusion: Muscles Are Crucial To A Well-Functioning Body But Also Hilariously Named!

While we may have been indecisive regarding originality for some of the named muscles, their significance cannot be deduced to an afterthought. Rhomboids, trapezius, lats and serratus anterior… they’re all important parts needed in conjunction with proper mechanics that allow us to perform various daily activities like lifting bags or reaching behind our backs.

So folks- it seems ‘The Scapular-Rhomboid Region’ definitely deserves a nice spotlight as much more complex than what we assumed initially!

Enjoy your next jumbled gym syllabus boasts around those catchy rhymes awaiting for activation inside the scapula zone encompassing lots of meaty functions where muscle fibers appear busiest specifically aligned between ribcages until upper arm height adjusting motion flows smoothie smooth!