This is a long triangular muscle situated at the upper border of the neck, where it commences at the second cervical vertebra and extends backward to the fifth dorsal vertebra.

Origin. - From the superior border of the ligamentum nucha? and the superior spinous processes of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th dorsal vertebrae.

Insertion. - Into the inner surface of the cartilage on the upper border of the scapula.

Action. - To draw the scapula upwards and forwards. Acting when the scapula is fixed, it would incline the neck to one side.