The concept of the myocutaneous flap has established various anatomic territories from which flaps may be elevated for reconstruction of defects in the area of head and neck.
The trapezius muscle is a flat, triangular muscle, covering the back of the neck and shoulder. It arises from the medial one-third of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, the external occipital protuberance, the ligamentum nuchae, the spine of the seventh cervical and the spines of all the thracic vertebrae and the corresponding portion of the supraspinous ligament. The upper part of the muscle inserts to the lateral third of the clavicle; the middle part into the medial edge of the acromion and the upper border of the spine of the scapular; the lower part to terminate in a tubercle at the medial end of the spine of the scapular.
The trapezius is supplied by the accessory nerve and also by branches from the third and fourth cervical nerves, which are probably sensory. The vascular supply comes from the transverse cercical artery and the occipital artery primarily.
In an effort to define clinical usefulness of the trapezius myocutaneous flaps, this paper describes various myocutaneous flaps, incorporating various portions of the muscle and bone, and reports the clinical applications.
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