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The multifidus muscle is a group of short, triangular muscles that, along with the semispinalis and rotatores, form the transversospinalis muscle group. It is located in the third or deep layer of deep muscles of the back and is considered a primary stabilizer. The multifidus is one of the transversospinales and is located just superficially to the spine itself. It plays a significant role in lumbar stability and is crucial for motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability. It is also one of the paraspinal muscles, located close to the dorsal side of the spine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A group of short, triangular muscles that along with the semispinalis and rotatores comprises the transversospinal group of deep back muscles. |
| Location | Located in the third or deep layer of deep muscles of the back. |
| Vertebrae | Multifidus is found on either side of the vertebral column, extending from the cervical all the way to the lumbar spine. |
| Regions | Cervical multifidus, thoracic multifidus, and lumbar multifidus. |
| Vertebral Levels | Each multifidus muscle bridges over three to six vertebral levels. |
| Vertebral Processes | Multifidus spans between the transverse and spinous processes of certain cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. |
| Vertebral Columns | When contracting bilaterally, multifidus extends the spine. |
| Vertebral Column Movement | When the muscles contract unilaterally, they produce ipsilateral lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the vertebral column. |
| Stabilization | Multifidus functions as an extensible ligament that stabilizes the vertebral column. |
| Joint Stability | Multifidus plays an important role in stabilizing the joints within the spine. |
| Joint Degeneration | The stiffness and stability of the multifidus reduces the degeneration of the joint structures caused by friction from normal physical activity. |
| Lumbar Stability | Multifidus is crucial for motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability. |
| Lumbar Multifidus Dysfunction | Persistent lumbar multifidus dysfunction is diagnosed by atrophic replacement of the multifidus with fat, as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. |
| Lumbar Multifidus Activation | Decreased lumbar multifidus muscle activation is associated with the presence of factors predictive of clinical success with a stabilization exercise program. |
| Lumbar Multifidus and Low Back Pain | Multifidus weakness and atrophy is associated with chronic low back pain. |
| Lumbar Multifidus and Paraspinal Muscles | The multifidus and paraspinal muscle groups are smaller in patients with chronic low back pain compared with healthy control patients. |
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What You'll Learn
The multifidus is a deep muscle in the back
The multifidus is a group of short, triangular muscles that, along with the semispinalis and rotatores, comprise the transversospinal group of deep back muscles. They are the thickest muscles in the transversospinal group and are found on either side of the vertebral column, extending from the cervical to the lumbar spine. The multifidus muscle spans the whole length of the vertebral column but is most developed in the lumbar area.
The multifidus muscle is defined as a deep muscle in the back that arises from the mamillary process, attaches to facet joint capsules, and stabilizes the spine by preventing capsular impingement. It plays a significant role in lumbar stability and is crucial for motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability. The multifidus is one of the transversospinales and is located just superficially to the spine itself. It spans three joint segments and works to stabilize these joints at each level. The stiffness and stability make each vertebra work more effectively and reduce the degeneration of the joint structures caused by friction from normal physical activity.
The multifidus muscle is continuously active in upright postures and is probably active in all anti-gravity activity. It stabilizes the vertebrae as the spine moves and is thought to have extra strength due to its unique design. When the oblique abdominal muscles contract to produce trunk rotation, some flexion of the trunk also occurs. The multifidus muscles oppose this trunk flexion, maintaining a pure axial rotation and thus acting as stabilizers during trunk rotation. The multifidus muscle is an important stabilizer of the lumbar spine and functions together with the transversus abdominis and pelvic floor muscles for spine stability.
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It is part of the transversospinal muscle group
The multifidus muscle is a group of short, triangular muscles that, along with the semispinalis and rotatores, forms the transversospinalis muscle group. It is located in the third or deep layer of deep muscles of the back, and is considered to be a primary stabiliser. The multifidus is one of the transversospinales, and is located just superficially to the spine itself. It spans three joint segments and works to stabilise these joints at each level.
The multifidus muscle is a local core stabiliser, playing an important role in the static and dynamic spinal stability. It is one of the deepest muscles in the back, arising from the mamillary process, attaching to facet joint capsules, and stabilising the spine by preventing capsular impingement. It passes upward and medially, attaching to the adjacent facet joint capsule and to the capsule above before inserting into the spinous process one and two levels above. Acting unilaterally, it bends the spine to the same side and rotates it to the opposite side. When contracting bilaterally, the multifidus extends the spine.
The multifidus muscle is continuously active in upright postures, and is probably active in all anti-gravity activity. It stabilises the vertebrae as the spine moves, opposing trunk flexion and maintaining a pure axial rotation. It is also crucial for motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability.
The multifidus muscle has a high cross-sectional area, so its force-generating capacity is high, and it has a low fibre length, so its muscle excursion is low. The deepest layer appears to contribute more strength and stability to the spine than the superficial layers. The lumbar multifidus muscle is a long muscle with several points of origin, including the back surface of the sacrum.
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It is one of the transversospinales
The multifidus muscle is indeed a paraspinal muscle. It is one of the transversospinales, a deep group of back muscles that lies deep to the Erector Spinae. The transversospinalis muscle group functions to provide spinal stability, proprioception and posture, stabilising the vertebral column.
The transversospinalis muscle group is made up of three subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus and rotatores. The multifidus is the thickest of these muscles, and is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column. It is divided regionally into three parts: the cervical multifidus, the thoracic multifidus and the lumbar multifidus.
The cervical multifidus muscles arise from the superior articular processes of C4-C7 vertebrae, extending superomedially to insert on the lateral aspect and the tips of the spinous processes of C2-C5 vertebrae. The thoracic multifidus originates from the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae, inserting variably on the spinous processes of the vertebrae 2-5 levels above their origin. The fibres of the lumbar multifidus arise from the mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae and the posterior surface of the sacrum, travelling superiorly to insert on the lateral surface and apices of spinous processes 2-5 levels above their origin.
The multifidus muscle plays an important role in stabilising the joints within the spine. It is one of the deepest muscles in the back and is considered a primary stabiliser. It is crucial for lumbar stability and motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability.
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It is one of the paraspinal muscles
The multifidus muscle is indeed one of the paraspinal muscles. It is a deep muscle in the back that is crucial for lumbar stability and motor control exercises. It is composed of several short, triangular muscles that make up the transversospinalis muscle group, along with the semispinalis and rotatores. The multifidus is located in the third or deepest layer of the deep muscles of the back, lying beneath the erector spinae, transverse abdominis, abdominal internal oblique, and abdominal external oblique muscles.
The multifidus muscle spans the entire length of the vertebral column, from the cervical to the lumbar spine, and is most developed in the lumbar region. Each individual multifidus muscle spans three to six vertebral levels, connecting the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebrae. The muscle is innervated by the medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, receiving arterial blood supply from various arteries along the vertebral column.
One of the key functions of the multifidus muscle is to stabilize the spine and joints within the spine. It helps to prevent capsular impingement by attaching to the facet joint capsules. When contracting bilaterally, the multifidus extends the spine, while unilateral contraction aids in lateral flexion of the spine to the same side and rotation to the opposite side. The stiffness and stability provided by the multifidus make each vertebra more effective and reduce joint degeneration caused by normal physical activity.
The multifidus muscle is closely associated with low back pain. Studies have found that patients with chronic low back pain tend to have a smaller multifidus muscle cross-sectional area and more muscle atrophy compared to healthy individuals. Weakness or dysfunction in the multifidus muscle can contribute to low back pain, and this pain may persist even after the initial cause has resolved. Retraining the multifidus muscle through core stabilization exercises is often recommended to help reduce low back pain.
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It is associated with low back pain
The multifidus muscle is a group of short, triangular muscles that run on either side of the spinal column. It is one of the deepest muscles in the back and is considered a primary stabiliser. It plays a significant role in lumbar stability and is crucial for motor control exercises targeting lumbar stability.
Dysfunction in the lumbar multifidus muscles is strongly associated with low back pain. This dysfunction can be caused by inhibition of pain by the spine. It can also be caused by incorrect movements, injuries and other muscles compensating for the weakness. Persistent lumbar multifidus dysfunction is diagnosed by atrophic replacement of the multifidus with fat, as visualised by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound.
Weakness in the multifidus muscle is associated with low back pain. When the multifidus muscle is weakened, it isn't stabilising the spine as it should. This can cause strains to other muscles and pain in the lower back and spine.
To maintain the strength of the multifidus muscle, one can work with a physiotherapist. Through manual treatments, stretching and exercise, one can maintain and strengthen the multifidus and keep the lumbar spine in great shape.
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Frequently asked questions
The multifidus muscle is a deep muscle in the back that plays a crucial role in stabilising the spine and the lumbar spine. It is made up of a number of fleshy and tendinous fasciculi, which fill the groove on either side of the spinous processes of the vertebrae.
The multifidus muscle is one of the paraspinal muscles, which provide dynamic stability to the spinal column. The paraspinal muscles are represented by three large muscles: the iliocostalis, longissimus, and multifidus.
The multifidus muscle is an important structure in the low back and plays a role in supporting the upper body weight. It is continuously active in upright postures and during anti-gravity activity, helping to stabilise the vertebrae as the spine moves.
Damage to the multifidus muscle is associated with low back pain. This can be caused by inhibition of pain by the spine, and may persist even after the pain has disappeared. The damage can be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound.
