IJAR.2019.335

Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 7; Issue 4.3 (December 2019)

Page No.: 7169-7175

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2019.335

THE LEVATOR SCAPULAE MUSCLE – MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS

K. Satheesh Naik 1, Sadhu Lokanadham 2.

*1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Viswabharathi Medical College & General Hospital, Penchikalapadu, Kurnool, Andhrapradesh, India.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Santhiram Medical College and General Hospital, Nandyal, Andhrapradesh, India.

Corresponding Author: K. Satheesh Naik, Assistant professor, Department of Anatomy, Viswabharathi Medical College & General Hospital, Penchikalapadu, Kurnool, Andhrapradesh – 518463. Mobile no: 9542093368 E-Mail: nsatheesh43@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anatomical variations of the levator scapulae are important and therefore clinically relevant. The levator scapulae are now believed to be the leading cause of discomfort in patients with chronic tension-type neck and shoulder pain and a link between anatomical variants of the muscle and increased risk of developing pain has been speculated. The results obtained were compared with previous studies.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 32 levator scapulae muscle of 16 cadavers over a period of 3 years. The dissection of head and neck was done carefully to preserve all minute details, observing the morphological variations of the muscle in the department of Anatomy, Viswabharathi Medical College, Penchikalapadu, and Kurnool.

Results: Total 32 levator scapulae muscles were used. All the sample values were measured to 2 decimal places. The average age of the cadavers in the sample was 82.87 years. The oldest cadaver in the sample was 100 years old and the youngest 61 years. Measurements of the proximal and distal attachments and the total length of the muscles were taken. Between 3 and 6 muscle slips were reported at the proximal attachment. Differences were also observed between sides. The first report of a levator scapula muscle with 6 muscle slips at the proximal attachment was described.

Conclusion: In our study we report 3 to 6 muscle slips in our study group. In order to improve the reliability of the results of this study a greater number of specimens should be used, either through further dissection or inclusion of results from imaging techniques. The findings of the study should still be of great interest to clinicians associated with this area of the body. By doing this the speculated link between muscle variation and clinical outcomes such as myofascial pain syndrome could be investigated further. The potential applications and expansions of this study are exciting and may begin to uncover the unexplained mechanisms behind myofascial pain syndrome.

KEY WORDS: Levator scapulae, transverse processes of cervical vertebrae, Origin (proximal attachment), insertion (distal attachment), muscle slips.

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Cite this article: K. Satheesh Naik, Sadhu Lokanadham. THE LEVATOR SCAPULAE MUSCLE – MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS. Int J Anat Res 2019;7(4.3):7169-7175. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2019.335