Techniques for Palpation and Locations of the Musculature of the Posterior Shoulder

#1: Latissimus Dorsi   

The lats can be palpated from its tendinous insertion on the bicipital groove, just inferior to the teres major. The lats are a large muscle located inferior to the scapula.

#2: Triceps brachii

The triceps can palpated on the posterior of the humerus.  The long head is palpable until it travels under the posterior deltoid.

#3: Teres Major 

The teres major can be palpated superior to the latissimus dorsi, and just inferior to the teres minor.  The tendon of the muscle is not palpable.

#4: Trapezius

The trapezius muscle is the most superficial of the muscles of the neck and upper back, and lies over the rhomboids and the levator scapulae.  It can be palpated superiorly along the shoulders and posteriorly between the scapulae.

#5: Levator Scapulae

The origins on the first through fourth cervical vertebrae of the levator scapulae can be palpated, but the majority of the muscle is located under the trapezius.

#6 & #7: Rhomboids

The Rhomboid minor and Rhomboid major cannot be directly palpated, as they are covered by the trapezius, but these are their relative locations.

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