Which muscle has an action to elevate the scapula?

• A. Rhomboid minor
• B. Rhomboid major
• C. Latissimus dorsi
• D. Pectoralis minor

Answer: (A)

Elevating the scapula is achieved by muscles that pull the medial edge of the shoulder blade upward. The rhomboid group, including the rhomboid minor, attaches along the medial border of the scapula and pulls it upward as it also retracts the scapula. This upward pull is what elevates the scapula. The other muscles listed have actions that depress or protract the scapula rather than elevate it: pectoralis minor pulls the scapula forward and downward, latissimus dorsi assists in depression and downward rotation, and while the rhomboid major does retract and downward-rotate, the minor is the one most clearly described as elevating the scapula in this context.