Trapezius Pars Transversa (left) — SENIAM EMG Electrode Placement

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Interscapular (Middle Trapezius)“, p. 292

Placement type: Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
Signal check: Retract the scapulae; abduct the arms through the full range.
Crosstalk from: rhomboids (hard to separate from the signal per Criswell) · upper trapezius · levator scapulae · erector spinae

The position above follows SENIAM; the crosstalk and artefact notes apply to surface recording of this muscle in general.

Print as a session sheet · A4 with landmarks, signal check and MVC test

Source: SENIAM (Hermens 2000) ↗

Hermens HJ, Freriks B, Disselhorst-Klug C, Rau G. Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2000;10(5):361-74.

Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references → · SENIAM reference table · How electrodes are placed (guide) · Glossary

Go deeper Which Muscles Cannot Be Measured With Surface EMG — and Why → Specific, Quasi-Specific, General — The Three Types of Surface EMG Placement →

All 49 muscle protocols as a PDF — free

Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 77 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.

Anatomy & Function

The M. Trapezius Pars Transversa (Middle Trapezius) is a muscle of the shoulder region. It is responsible for retraction (adduction) of scapula, scapular stabilization. This muscle is one of 26 with official SENIAM-recommended surface EMG electrode placement. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).

Function Retraction (adduction) of scapula, scapular stabilization Origin Proc. spinosi Th1–Th4 Insertion Acromion, spine of scapula (medial) Innervation Spinal accessory nerve (spinal portion) with twigs from C3–C4

Innervation after Perotto AO, Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer, 5th ed. 2011 — an anatomical reference, not an electrode placement recommendation.

Clinical applications (SENIAM)

Rotator cuff rehabilitation
Impingement syndrome biofeedback
Pre-/post-surgical shoulder assessment

Test Movement

Retract scapulae against resistance (squeeze shoulder blades together)

Detail: sensor on the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa — Illustration shows the left side; the set-up is mirrored for the right side.

MVC reference test (Konrad 2005)

Position: Prone on a bench, arms hanging, or seated at a rowing machine / cable.
Fixation: Seated: good chest support; prone: the bench itself.
Resistance: Barbell or bilateral manual resistance (prone) or cable/machine (seated); horizontal abduction against it.

Horizontal abduction addresses the shoulder-stabilising muscles: middle trapezius and rhomboids together.

Konrad P. The ABC of EMG. Noraxon; 2005, p. 31. Konrad describes this test at group level; it applies to all muscles of the group. · Why and how to normalise to MVC

Measure M. Trapezius Pars Transversa activity live

The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.

In rehabilitation, the Middle Trapezius is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.

EMG biofeedback in physiotherapy → What is EMG biofeedback? PicoBlue sensors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa?

50% between medial scapular border and T3. Orientation: Along the line T5–acromion. Based on the official SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000).

Which test movement activates the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa?

Retract scapulae against resistance (squeeze shoulder blades together). This movement is part of the SENIAM protocol for standardized contraction verification.

Is the M. Trapezius Pars Transversa a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

Yes. The M. Trapezius Pars Transversa is one of 26 muscles for which the SENIAM project has published official surface EMG electrode placement recommendations.

M. Trapezius Pars Transversa

Electrode Placement (SENIAM)