College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a function attributed to the dorsal scapular nerve?

1. Suppling the trapezius muscle

2. Supplying the rhomboids muscles

3. Supplying the levator scapulae muscle

4. Contributing to scapular stabilization

The correct answer is: Suppling the trapezius muscle

The dorsal scapular nerve primarily innervates the rhomboid muscles and the levator scapulae, thereby playing a vital role in the function and stabilization of the scapula. The primary function of this nerve includes providing motor supply to these muscles, which are crucial for the movement and stabilization of the shoulder girdle. While the trapezius muscle is important for shoulder and neck movement, it is not innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve; rather, its innervation comes from the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) and branches of the cervical plexus. Therefore, identifying that the trapezius muscle is not supplied by the dorsal scapular nerve makes option A the correct choice, as it accurately describes a function that is not attributed to this nerve. Overall, understanding the specific muscles innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve helps clarify its role and the functions associated with it in relation to shoulder stability and movement.