A cadaveric and magnetic resonance imaging study of the anatomical variations of levator scapulae

Levator scapulae muscle (LSM) is a deep muscle found in the posterior triangle of the neck. It is reported to be a lead cause of neck and shoulder pain and discomfort in patients. The muscle anatomically presents with an average of four muscle slips, originating from the transverse processes of the first four cervical vertebrae (C1-C4) and inserts onto the superomedial border of the scapula. The main function of the levator scapulae muscle is to elevate the scapula. This study aimed to determine the morphometric variation in levator scapulae muscle and its related neurovasculature via cadaveric and MRI studies. There were 20 available cadavers, and their posterior and anterior neck triangles were dissected to expose the levator scapulae and its neurovasculature. The MRI study used randomly selected axial scans (n = 167) to identify accessory attachments of the levator scapulae muscle. The study observed the levator scapulae muscle with two to six muscle slips, with four muscle slips dominating. The average proximal distance was 53.46 ± 13.22 mm, distal distance was 60.63 ± 10.78 mm, anterior distance was 87.10 ± 9.27 mm and posterior distance was 158.08 ± 15.94 mm. The cadaveric study observed the accessory muscle slip attachments to the middle scalene, the first two ribs. The MRI study observed accessory attachments to the serratus posterior superior, serratus anterior, trapezius, rhomboid minor, and splenius cervicis. The levator scapulae muscle was supplied by the dorsal scapular, transverse cervical ascending cervical arteries, and innervated by up to six nerve branches, stemming from C2, C3/C4, and C5 nerve roots. Clinically, the current study is important to medical students, anatomists, radiologists, and physicians, as it confirmed the available data and provided additional knowledge about the levator scapulae muscle and its related neurovasculature, hence voiding misinterpretation of possible muscle anatomy, inaccurate diagnoses and prevent injuries to neurovasculature during surgical procedures. Further research on the levator scapulae muscle is crucial to provide adequate information regarding the levator scapulae muscle variations

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Namibia

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Iita, Ester Ndagwedha

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wessels, Quenton

• Cadaveric
• Levator scapulae muscle
• MRI
• Muscle slips
• Neurovasculature
• University of Namibia
• Namibia

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11070/4132

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.unam.edu.na:11070/4132