Neck / Trapezius
muscle which extends longitudinally
from the occipital bone to the lower
spine of the scapula (shoulder blade).
The trapezius has three functional
regions: The superior region
(descending part) supports the weight
of the upper limb. The intermediate
region (transverse part) retracts the
scapulae. The inferior region
(ascending part) medially rotates and
depresses the scapulae. The two
trapezius muscles together resemble a
diamond shaped, the four points of the
diamond are: the head (top), the two
shoulders, and the middle of the back.
Because the fibers run in different directions, it
has a variety of actions, including:

-scapular elevation (shrugging up or lifting the
shoulders)
-scapular retraction (drawing the shoulder
blades toward the midline)
-scapular depression (pulling the shoulder
blades down)

The upper portion of the trapezius can be
developed by elevating the shoulders.
Common exercises for this movement are
shoulder shrugs and upright rows. Middle
fibers are developed by pulling shoulder
blades together. Best exercises for this
movement are rowing exercises and deadlifts.
The lower part can be developed by drawing
the shoulder blades downward while keeping
the arms almost straight and stiff. This can be
done in a pull-down station.