Rhomboids

The rhomboid muscles, often simply called the rhomboids, are rhombus-shaped muscles associated with the scapula and are chiefly responsible for its retraction.

Anatomy of the Rhomboids

There are two rhomboid muscles:

Rhomboid major muscle

The rhomboid major is considered a superficial back muscle and arises from the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae T2 to T5 as well as the supraspinous ligament. It inserts on the medial border of the scapula, from about the level of the scapular spine to the scapula's inferior angle.

As its name suggests, the rhomboid major is the larger of the two rhomboids.

Rhomboid minor muscle

The Rhomboideus minor is superior to the Rhomboideus major and arises from the lower part of the ligamentum nuchæ and from the spinous processes of the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebræ.

The rhomboid muscles are innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve and supplied by the dorsal scapular artery.

Functions of the Rhomboids

The rhomboid muscles are responsible for:

• Scapula retraction (bringing the shoulder blades together).
• Rotation of the scapula downwards

You will use the rhomboid muscles when pulling a draw open every day.

Some of the best exercises to strengthen the rhomboid muscles include the reverse fly with a resistance band and seated row with a resistance band.

The common injury to the rhomboid muscles is Postural kyphosis.

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