Which description best captures the span of the trapezius?

Which description best captures the span of the trapezius?

• A. Clavicle and scapula only
• B. Base of the skull to the lower part of the thoracic spine
• C. Only the upper thoracic spine
• D. From the cervical spine to the lumbar spine

Answer: (B)

The trapezius spans from the skull base and cervical region down to the lower part of the thoracic spine, with attachments to the clavicle and the scapula. This long reach explains why the muscle helps move and stabilize the head, neck, and shoulder blades. Describing its span as from the base of the skull to the lower thoracic spine captures its full extent along the spine, unlike options that limit it to just the clavicle/scapula, only the upper thoracic region, or extend too far down to the lumbar region.

The trapezius spans from the skull base and cervical region down to the lower part of the thoracic spine, with attachments to the clavicle and the scapula. This long reach explains why the muscle helps move and stabilize the head, neck, and shoulder blades. Describing its span as from the base of the skull to the lower thoracic spine captures its full extent along the spine, unlike options that limit it to just the clavicle/scapula, only the upper thoracic region, or extend too far down to the lumbar region.