trapezius

noun

tra·​pe·​zi·​us trə-ˈpē-zē-əs 

tra-

plural trapezii trə-ˈpē-zē-ˌī 

tra-

also trapeziuses

: a large flat triangular superficial muscle of each side of the upper back

Examples of trapezius in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film opens not with a mandible but with a trapezius, a flashback in black-and-white of the Von Erich patriarch, Fritz (Holt McCallany), in the midst of a match, grunting and colliding with another body in a spotlighted ring. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2023

These include alleviating neck and shoulder tension, muscles spasms, migraines and trapezius hypertrophy, or enlargement of the traps. —USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023

On Best Buy View On Dermstore Typing for hours on an airplane tray table can terrorize your trapezius muscles. —Ryan Haase, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2023

As described above, the procedure involves using a needle to inject neurotoxin into the trapezius muscle—two common injection sites, according to Dr. Alexiades, are at the slope of the neck and just before the shoulder. —Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 31 Aug. 2023

Patients are asking to have Botox injected in their trapezius muscles, in the hopes of reducing pain and achieving longer-looking necks. —Adrienne Matei, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023

Dermatologists say trapezius Botox, the original name for Barbie Botox, has historically been used in fields like neurology, pain management and orthopedics to treat a host of medical concerns. —USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023

The technique entails getting a neurotoxin such as Botox (Botulinum toxin) injected into the trapezius muscle. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 22 June 2023

The trapezius is actually composed of three distinct parts, all named based on their position: the superior (a.k.a. upper or descending) trapezius, the middle (a.k.a. transverse) trapezius, and the inferior (a.k.a. ascending or lower) trapezius. —Brett Williams, Men's Health, 21 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from trapezium; from the pair on the back forming together the figure of a trapezium

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

trapezius

noun

tra·​pe·​zi·​us trə-ˈpē-zē-əs, tra- 

plural trapezii -zē-ˌī  also trapeziuses

: a large flat triangular superficial muscle of each side of the upper back that arises from the occipital bone, the ligamentum nuchae, and the spinous processes of the last cervical and all the thoracic vertebrae, is inserted into the outer part of the clavicle, the acromion, and the spine of the scapula, and serves chiefly to rotate the scapula so as to present the glenoid cavity upward