A Guide to the Muscles of the Back

Category Muscle Function Origin Insertion Nerve Blood

Supply
Superficial Trapezius Helps serratus anterior T-shaped: Lateral third of Accessory Transverse
rotate scapula Medial part of clavicle (CN XI) cervical artery (br
Elevate scapula superior nuchal line, Medial margin of of subclavian)
Adduct scapula external occipital acromion
(movt of upper limb) protruberance, Spine of scapula
ligamentum nuchae,
spinous process
(C7-T12)
Latissimus dorsi Extends, adducts, and Thoracolumbar Floor of Thoracodorsal Thoracodorsal
medially rotates humerus fascia (spinous intertubercular nerve (posterior artery (br of
(elevates trunk to the arms processes of T7 thru sulcus of humerus brachial plexus) axillary)
– climb) ilium)
Rhomboid major Adducts scapula by Spinous processes Medial border of Dorsal scapular Transverse
pulling it towards of T2-T5 scapula (between (C5) cervical/dorsal
vertebral column. Rotates scapular spine and scapular
scapula. inferior angle)
Rhomboid minor Assists rhomboid major Spinous processes Medial border of Dorsal scapular Transverse
muscle of C7 and T1 scapula (C5) cervical/dorsal
scapular
Levator scapulae Elevates superior border Transverse Superior angle and C3, C4 nerves and Transverse
of scapula, rotates scapula processes of atlas, upper medial border Dorsal scapular cervical artery
laterally axis, C3, C4 of scapula (C5)

Intermediate Serratus posterior Elevates Ribs 2-5 Spinous processes Upper border of Ventral rami of T1-
superior (Respiratory aid) of C7-T3 Ribs 2,3,4,5 T4
Serratus posterior Draws back Ribs 9-12 Spinous processes Lower border of Ventral rami of T9-
superior (Respiratory aid) of T11-L3 Ribs 9, 10, 11, 12 T12
Category Muscle Function Origin Insertion Nerve Blood
Supply
Deep
Superficial Splenius capitis Bilaterally, extend H&N Lower part of Superior nuchal line Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
Unilaterally, rotate and ligamentum nuchae, and mastoid process spinal nerves aorta
laterally bend H&N to spinous processes
of C3-T4
Splenius cervicus Bilaterally, extend H&N Spinous processes Transverse process Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
Unilaterally, rotate and of T3-T6 of C2-C5 spinal nerves aorta
laterally bend H&N

Erector spinae Spinalis Extends vertebral column Spinous processes Spinous processes of Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
of C6-L2 C2-T8 (most cervical/thoracic aorta
superior insertion to spinal nerves
the superior nuchal
line)
Longissimus Extends and laterally Transverse From mastoid Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
flexes vertebral column processes of T8-L5 process to transverse cervical/thoracic/lu aorta
processes of all mbar spinal n.
Thoracic vertebrae
Iliocostalis Extends, laterally flexes Lumbar : from iliac Lumbar : inferior Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
and assists in rotation of crest border of ribs 7-12 cervical/thoracic/lu aorta
vertebrae Thoracic : upper Thoracic : angles of mbar spinal nerves.
border of ribs 7-12 ribs 3-6
at their angles Cervicus : transverse
Cervicis : angles of processes of C4-C6
Rib 3-6
Category Muscle Function Origin Insertion Nerve Blood
Supply
Transversospinalis Semispinalis Extends vertebral column, Transverse Spinous processes of Dorsal rami of C4- Muscular br of
rotate it to opposite side processes of T1-T10 C2-T4 T5 aorta
Semispinalis Extends the head and Transverse Between sup. & inf. Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
capitis rotate it to opposite side processes of C7-T7 Nuchal lines on cervical n. (also aorta
occipitum greater occipital)
Multifidus Bilateral extension Articular processes Spinous processes of Dorsal rami of Muscular br of
Lateral flexion to opposite of cervical vertebra vertebrae spinal nerves aorta
side to lower dorsal
Rotate vertebral bodies to sacrum
opposite side
Rotatores Rotate to opposite side Transverse process To the base of Muscular br of
Bilateral extension of one vertebra spinous process of aorta
the vertebra above