The levator scapula muscle (levator anguli scapulae) lies along the back and side part of the neck. It originates deep in the side of the neck from the four upper cervical vertebrae near the base of the skull, passes down and back and inserts in the scapula. It is innervated by the dorsal nerve of the scapula and is supplied by the cervical artery. As the name implies, this muscle is the ' shoulder blade lifter'. This muscle tenses up, becoming hard and stiff, when weight is carried upon the shoulder. Research Levator Scapulae Muscle