Muscles Of The Back

Made by: Taha Makhlouf

 Muscles of the Back
• There are two major groups of muscles in the back:

1. The extrinsic back muscles include superficial and intermediate muscles

that produce and control limb and respiratory movements, respectively.

2. The intrinsic (deep) back muscles include muscles that specifically act on
the vertebral column, producing its movements and maintaining posture.
 Superficial extrinsic back muscles:
• Trapezius: The trapezius is a broad, flat and triangular muscle. The
muscles on each side form a trapezoid shape. It is the most superficial
of all the back muscles.

It divided into 3 parts (according to its fibers direction):

1- Descending part.
2- Transverse part.
3- Ascending part.
 Trapezius

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Laterally rotate scapula; upper

Occipital bone, spines of
Lateral 1/3 of clavicle, acromion, portions can elevate scapula, Cranial nerve 11
C7 and T1-12, and
and spine of scapula lower portion can depress (accessory nerve)
ligamentum nuchae
scapula
 Latissimus Dorsi
• The latissimus dorsi originates from the lower part of the back, where
it covers a wide area.
 Latissimus Dorsi

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Extend and adduct at shoulder,

Thoracolumbar fascia, Middle subscapular
Intertubercular groove of medially rotate at shoulder, and
iliac crest, inferior angle (Thoracodorsal)
humerus horizontally abduct away from
of scapula and lower ribs (ventral rami of C6–C8)
midline
 Levator Scapulae
• The levator scapulae is a small strap-like muscle. It begins in the neck,
and descends to attach to the scapula.
• The levator scapula muscle is located deep to the trapezius muscle and
superior to the rhomboids.
 Levator Scapulae

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Upper part of medial border of

Transverse Processes of Elevate scapula, medial rotation
scapula, superior angle of Dorsal scapular nerve.
C1-C4 of scapula
scapula.
 Rhomboids
• There are two rhomboid muscles (major and minor). The rhomboid
minor is situated superiorly to the major, both positioned deep to the
trapezius muscle.
 Rhomboids Major

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Medial border of the scapula,

Spinous processes of T2-
between the scapula spine and Retracts and rotates the scapula Dorsal scapular nerve.
T5 vertebrae
inferior angle.
 Rhomboids Minor

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Spinous processes of C7- Medial border of the scapula, at

Retracts and rotates the scapula Dorsal scapular nerve.
T1 vertebrae the level of the spine of scapula.
 Intermediate extrinsic back muscles
• The intermediate group contains two muscles: the serratus posterior
superior and serratus posterior inferior.
• These muscles run from the vertebral column to the ribcage, and assist
with elevating and depressing the ribs.
• They are thought to have a slight respiratory function.
 Serratus Posterior Superior
• The serratus posterior superior is a thin, rectangular shaped muscle. It
lies deep to the rhomboid muscles on the upper back.
 Serratus Posterior Superior

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Lower part of the

ligamentum nuchae, and Fibers pass in an inferolateral
Elevates ribs 2-5. Intercostal nerves.
the cervical and thoracic direction, attaching to ribs 2-5.
spines (usually C7 – T3).
 Serratus Posterior Inferior
• The serratus posterior inferior is broad and strong. It lies underneath
the latissimus dorsi.
 Serratus Posterior Inferior

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Thoracic and lumbar The fibers pass in a superolateral

Depresses ribs 9-12. Intercostal nerves.
spines (usually T11 – L3). direction, attaching to ribs 9-12.
 Deep back muscles
• The deep muscles of the back are well-developed, and collectively
extend from the sacrum to the base of the skull. They are associated
with the movements of the vertebral column, and the control of
posture.
• The muscles themselves are covered by deep fascia, which plays a key
role in their organization.
• Anatomically, the deep back muscles can be divided into three layers;
superficial, intermediate and deep.
 Superficial intrinsic back muscles
• The superficial muscles are also known as the spinotransversales.
There are two muscles in this group: splenius capitis and splenius
cervicis. They are both associated with movements of the head and
neck.
• They are located on the posterolateral aspect of the neck, covering the
deeper neck muscles.
 Splenius Capitis

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Contract one side,
Lower aspect of the
rotate head to same
ligamentum nuchae, and Mastoid process and the occipital Posterior rami of spinal
side; contract both
the spinous processes of bone of the skull. nerves C3 and C4.
sides to extend
C7 – T3/4 vertebrae.
head/neck
 Splenius Cervicis

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Contract one side,
rotate head to same Posterior rami of the
Spinous processes of T3-
Transverse processes of C1-3/4. side; contract both lower cervical spinal
T6 vertebae.
sides to extend nerves.
head/neck
 Intermediate intrinsic back muscles
• From lateral to medial, the erector spinae muscles include
the iliocostalis, the longissimus, and the spinalis muscles.
• The erector spinae is situated posterolaterally to spinal
column, between the vertebral spinous processes and the
costal angle of the ribs.
• All three muscles can be subdivided by their superior
attachments (into lumborum, thoracic, cervicis and capitis).
• These muscles are involved in the control of posture, they
contract intermittently during swaying movements, such as
walking.
• They also all have a common tendinous origin, which arises
from:
• Lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae.
• Sacrum.
• Posterior aspect of iliac crest.
• Sacroiliac and supraspinous ligaments.
 Iliocostalis
• The iliocostalis muscle is located laterally within the erector spinae. It
is associated with the ribs, and can be divided into three parts –
lumborum, thoracis, and cervicis.

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Extension, lateral
Costal angle of the ribs and the Posterior rami of the
Common tendinous origin flexion of vertebral
cervical transverse processes. spinal nerves.
column
 Longissimus
• The longissimus muscle is situated between the iliocostalis and
spinalis. It is the largest of the three columns. It can be divided into
three parts – thoracic, cervicis and capitis.

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Lower ribs, the transverse Extension, lateral

Posterior rami of the
Common tendinous origin processes of C2 – T12, and the flexion of vertebral
spinal nerves.
mastoid process of the skull. column
 Spinalis
• The spinalis muscle is located medially within the erector spinae. It is
the smallest of the three muscle columns. It can be divided into the
thoracic, cervicis and capitis (although the cervicis part is absent in
some individuals).

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Spinous processes of C2, T1-T8 Extension, lateral

Posterior rami of the
Common tendinous origin and the occipital bone of the flexion of vertebral
spinal nerves.
skull. column
 Deep intrinsic back muscles
• The deep intrinsic muscles are located underneath the erector spinae,
and are known collectively as the transversospinales. They are a group
of short muscles, associated with the transverse and spinous processes
of the vertebral column.
• This group of muscles divided into two layers:
• Major Deep Layer:
1. Semispinalis
2. Multifidus
3. Rotatores
• Minor Deep Layer:
1. Interspinales
2. Intertranversari
3. Levatores costarum
 Major Deep Layer
• Semispinalis: The semispinalis is the most superficial of the
deep intrinsic muscles. Much like the intermediate muscles, it
can be divided by its superior attachments into thoracic,
cervicis and capitis.

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Transverse processes of Spinous processes of C2-T4, and Extend vertebral Posterior rami of the
C4-T12. to the occipital bone of the skull. column and head spinal nerves.
 Multifidus
• The multifidus is located underneath the
semispinalis muscle. It is best developed in
the lumbar area.

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Arises from the sacrum, posterior iliac
spine, common tendinous origin of the The fibers ascend 2-4 vertebral
Stabilizes the vertebral Posterior rami of the
erector spinae, mamillary processes of segments, attaching the spinous
column. spinal nerves.
lumbar vertebrae, transverse processes of processes of the vertebrae.
T1-T3 and articular processes of C4-C7.
 Rotatores
• The rotatores are most prominant in the thoracic region.

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Lamina and spinous processes Stabilizes the vertebral

Posterior rami of the
Vertebral transverse processes. of the immediately superior column, and has a
spinal nerves.
vertebrae. proprioceptive function.
 Minor Deep Layer
• Interspinales:

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Superior surface of spinous Inferior surface of spinous

Extension and rotation of Posterior rami of the
processes of cervical and processes of vertebra superior
vertebral column spinal nerves.
lumbar vertebrae. to vertebra of origin
 Intertranversari

Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Lateral flexion of vertebral

Transverse processes of Transverse processes of Posterior and anterior
column, stabilize vertebral
cervical and lumbar vertebrae. adjacent vertebrae rami of the spinal nerves.
column.
 Levatores costarum
Origin Insertion Action Innervation

Transverse processes of C7- Attaches to the rib between Elevate ribs, lateral flexion of Posterior rami of C8-T11
T11 tubercle and angle. vertebral column. spinal nerves.