Which movement involves raising the shoulder up towards the ear?

Raising the shoulder up towards the ear is a clear indication of scapular elevation. This movement involves the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles working to lift the scapula (shoulder blade) towards the head. Scapular elevation is essential in various activities such as shrugs or during overhead lifting, where the shoulders are drawn upward.

Other movements listed, such as scapular depression, shoulder abduction, and shoulder flexion, do not involve this upward lifting action. Scapular depression refers to moving the shoulder blades downwards, shoulder abduction relates to moving the arm away from the body, and shoulder flexion involves raising the arm forward and upward in front of the body. These distinctions underscore that the characteristic of lifting the shoulder towards the ear specifically aligns with scapular elevation.