Which muscle has origin including External Occipital Protuberance and spinous processes of C7 through T12?

• A. Trapezius
• B. Levator scapula
• C. Infraspinatus
• D. Subscapularis

Answer: (A)

Origin points tell you where a muscle starts. The muscle that begins at the external occipital protuberance and the spinous processes of C7 through T12 is the trapezius. This broad, superficial back muscle has an extensive origin along the skull and upper spine, including the external occipital protuberance and the spinous processes from C7 down to T12, and it inserts on the clavicle, acromion, and spine of the scapula. The other muscles have different starting points: levator scapulae begins from the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae (C1–C4), infraspinatus starts on the infraspinous fossa of the scapula, and subscapularis starts on the subscapular fossa. Therefore, the described origin is a hallmark of the trapezius.