Which muscle is the large muscle of the neck and upper back?

• A. Trapezius
• B. Deltoid
• C. Latissimus dorsi
• D. Rhomboid

Answer: (A)

The trapezius is the large muscle that covers the neck and upper back. It runs from the skull and neck down to the mid back and attaches to parts of the shoulder blade (clavicle, acromion, and spine). This broad, superficial muscle is the most prominent in that region, which is why it’s the correct choice. It’s responsible for moving the scapula—lifting, retracting, and depressing it—and helps extend the neck, fitting the description of the large neck and upper back muscle.

The other muscles aren’t the primary large muscle in that area: the deltoid sits over the shoulder joint and focuses on arm movement; the latissimus dorsi is a very large back muscle but primarily occupies the lower back and attaches to the humerus; the rhomboids are smaller muscles between the spine and the inner edge of the scapula.