_Origin._--From the first nine or ten ribs in as many subdivisions. The first subdivision arises from the whole or nearly the whole of the caudal border of the first rib. The next four or five arise either from the ribs or from the costal cartilages near or at their junction with the ribs. The last four subdivisions arise from the ribs at increasing distances from the cartilages. The fibres converge and the subdivisions join one another. _Insertion_ (Fig. 78, _c_) into a narrow area on the medial surface of the scapula near the vertebral border. The glenoid half of the insertion is by a short tendon, the remainder by muscle-fibres. _Relations._--Outer (lateral) surface with the latissimus dorsi (Fig. 68, _m_), teres major (Fig. 77, _c_), subscapularis (Fig. 77, _a_), and near the origin with the rectus abdominis (Fig. 73, _k_), the scalenus (Fig. 73, _f_-_f‴_), and the obliquus externus (Fig. 68, _p_). Inner (medial) surface with the serratus posterior superior (Fig. 73, _l_) and its tendon, and with the intercostales externi (Fig. 73, _m_). At its insertion the muscle touches the rhomboideus. The cranial edge is united to the caudal edge of the levator scapulæ (Fig. 73, _h_). _Action._--Depressor of the scapula. =M. levator scapulæ= (Fig. 73, _h_). _Origin._--From the dorsal tubercles of the transverse processes of the last five cervical vertebræ and from the ligaments between the tubercles. A slip sometimes arises from the atlas. _Insertion_ (Fig. 78, _d_) into a triangular area on the medial surface of the scapula near its vertebral border. It is continuous with the insertion of the serratus anterior. _Relations._--Outer (lateral) surface with a mass of fat separating it from the clavotrapezius (Fig. 68, _d_) and cleidomastoid (Fig. 65, _h_), and with the subscapularis (Fig. 77, _a_). Inner (medial) surface with the splenius (Fig. 73, _b_), the tendon of the serratus posterior superior (Fig. 73, _l_), and the cervical portion of the longissimus dorsi (Fig. 69, _f″_). Near the insertion the muscle touches the occipitoscapularis (Fig. 73, _a_) and rhomboideus. Caudal border united with the serratus anterior (Fig. 73, _i_). _Action._--Draws the scapula cranioventrad.