Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The rhomboid minor is a small skeletal muscle located in the upper back, between the spine and the scapula. It functions to retract and elevate the scapula, playing a crucial role in the movement of the shoulder.
A flat, triangular bone located on the posterior side of the rib cage that serves as an important attachment site for several muscles including the rhomboid minor.
The movement of pulling something back or backward, which in terms of shoulder movement refers to pulling the shoulders back, primarily performed by muscles like the rhomboid minor.
The act of moving something upwards; in anatomy, it refers to raising a body part, such as lifting the shoulders up through muscles including the rhomboid minor