ACTION: retracts the scapula
REFERRAL: itself

COMMENTS: The rhomboid major and minor are next to each other. We will refer to them both as one muscle, the rhomboid. This muscle retracts the scapula, pulling it towards the spine. It can also help to angle the scapula down(when the lower fibers fire) or up (when the upper fibers fire). Realize that when people have pain here, it is not really a back issue- but rather a shoulder issue, since this muscle moves the shoulder. The trapezius muscle is another shoulder muscle located on the back and lies over the rhomboid.