
The iliocostalis is a deep back muscle that is part of the erector spinae muscle group, which also includes the longissimus and spinalis muscles. The erector spinae muscles are arranged into longitudinal cords, with the iliocostalis composing the lateral cord. The iliocostalis muscle can be further divided into three regional parts according to their origin: the iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum. These muscles act in synergy to produce movements of the vertebral column, such as lateral flexion and extension of the spine.
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What You'll Learn

The iliocostalis is a deep back muscle
The iliocostalis cervicis arises from the superior aspect of the angle of the third through sixth ribs and attaches superiorly to the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C4 to C6 vertebrae. It functions to laterally flex and extend the lower cervical region and is innervated by specific spinal nerves. The iliocostalis thoracis, on the other hand, starts from the superior aspect of the angles of the lower six ribs and ascends to end on the angles of the upper six ribs and the transverse process of the C7 vertebra. This muscle is responsible for extending and laterally flexing the thoracic spine and is innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior primary divisions of the thoracic spinal nerves.
The iliocostalis lumborum is the lower (lumbar) portion of the iliocostalis muscle. It originates from the lateral crest of the sacrum, the medial end of the iliac crest, and the thoracolumbar fascia. This muscle contributes to the support and control of the orientation of the lumbar spine. Injury to the iliocostalis lumborum may result in pain in the lower back or buttocks, often caused by common daily activities such as lifting heavy objects, rotating while lifting, or sitting immobile for extended periods.
The iliocostalis muscle plays a crucial role in producing movements of the vertebral column. When contracting unilaterally, these muscles produce ipsilateral lateral flexion of the spine, while bilateral contraction results in spine extension. Additionally, during forward flexion of the spine, the erector spinae muscles, including the iliocostalis, eccentrically contract to smoothen the bending of the vertebral column.
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It is part of the erector spinae muscle group
The iliocostalis muscle is a deep back muscle that is part of the erector spinae muscle group. The erector spinae muscle group is made up of three muscles: the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis. These muscles work together to produce movements of the vertebral column. When these muscles contract on one side, they cause the spine to bend laterally to the same side, and when they contract together, they extend the spine.
The erector spinae muscles are arranged into longitudinal cords, with the iliocostalis muscle forming the lateral cord, the longissimus muscle forming the intermediate cord, and the spinalis muscle forming the medial cord. The iliocostalis muscle itself is further divided into three regional parts according to their origin: the iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum.
The iliocostalis cervicis arises from the superior aspect of the angle of the third through sixth ribs and attaches superiorly onto the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C4 to C6 vertebrae. It functions to laterally flex and extend the lower cervical region of the spine. The iliocostalis thoracis originates from the angles of the lower six ribs and ascends to attach to the angles of the upper six ribs and the transverse process of vertebra C7. This muscle extends and laterally flexes the thoracic spine. The iliocostalis lumborum is divided into lumbar and thoracic parts, with the lumbar part originating from the lateral crest of the sacrum, medial end of the iliac crest, and thoracolumbar fascia, and inserting into the transverse processes of vertebrae L1-L4.
The erector spinae muscles are vital for allowing free movement of the spine. They are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. Injury to the iliocostalis lumborum may be indicated by pain in the lower back or buttocks, often caused by common daily activities such as lifting heavy objects, rotating while lifting, or sitting immobile for extended periods.
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The muscle has three parts: cervicis, thoracis and lumborum
The iliocostalis muscle is part of the erector spinae muscle group, which also includes longissimus and spinalis. The erector spinae muscle group forms a muscle bulk that runs parallel to the spine, over the transverse processes of each vertebra. These muscles are essential for allowing free movement of the spine.
The iliocostalis muscle has three parts: cervicis, thoracis, and lumborum. The iliocostalis cervicis is involved in the lateral flexion and extension of the lower cervical region. It helps to maintain an erect posture and stabilizes the vertebral column during flexion in the upper portion of the torso. When used unilaterally, it acts as a lateral flexor and same-side rotator.
The iliocostalis thoracis is the thoracic segment of the iliocostalis muscle. It is narrow and fusiform, originating from the superior aspect of the angle of the lower six ribs (6-12th ribs). It is inserted at the angles of the upper six ribs (1-6th ribs) and the transverse process of the C7 vertebra. The iliocostalis thoracis is innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior primary divisions of the thoracic spinal nerves, with blood supplied by the dorsal rami of the posterior intercostal arteries. When acting bilaterally, it participates in the extension of the thoracic spine, working in synergy with the iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis lumborum, and longissimus cervicis.
The iliocostalis lumborum is the lower (lumbar) portion of the muscle. It contributes to supporting and controlling the orientation of the lumbar spine. Injury to this muscle may result in pain in the lower back or buttocks, often caused by common daily activities such as lifting heavy objects, rotating while lifting, or sitting immobile for extended periods.
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It is involved in respiration and assists as an accessory muscle of expiration
The iliocostalis muscle is a deep back muscle that is part of the erector spinae muscle group, which also includes the longissimus and spinalis muscles. The erector spinae group is vital for allowing free movement of the spine. The iliocostalis muscle is horizontally divided into three regional parts according to their origin: the iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum.
The iliocostalis cervicis arises from the angles of ribs 3-6 and inserts into the transverse processes of vertebrae C4-C6. The iliocostalis thoracis originates from the angles of ribs 7-12 and inserts into the angles of the upper six ribs and the transverse process of vertebra C7. The iliocostalis lumborum is divided into lumbar and thoracic parts, with the lumbar part originating from the lateral crest of the sacrum, medial end of the iliac crest, and thoracolumbar fascia.
The iliocostalis muscle is involved in respiration and assists as an accessory muscle of expiration. Expiratory muscles induce exhalation by compressing the thoracic cavity. The iliocostalis lumborum, in particular, assists in expiration due to its insertion on the ribs. During times of exercise or respiratory dysfunction, the accessory muscles of respiration are recruited due to the increased metabolic need.
The iliocostalis muscle also contributes to the stabilization of the spine. The iliocostalis lumborum, along with the multifidus muscle, helps to support and control the orientation of the lumbar spine. Additionally, the iliocostalis muscle acts in synergy with the longissimus and spinalis muscles to produce movements of the vertebral column. When these muscles contract unilaterally, they produce ipsilateral lateral flexion of the spine, and when they act bilaterally, they extend the spine.
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It helps with the stabilization of the spine
The iliocostalis is a group of muscles that are essential for spinal stabilisation. The iliocostalis is part of the erector spinae muscle group, which also includes the longissimus and spinalis muscles. These three muscles work together to produce movements of the vertebral column, with the iliocostalis being the most lateral component. The erector spinae muscles contract to smoothen the bending of the vertebral column during forward flexion of the spine.
The iliocostalis muscle spans the entire back, from the neck to the pelvis, and is divided into three regional parts: the iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum. The cervicis arises from the angles of ribs 3 to 6 and inserts into the transverse processes of vertebrae C4 to C6, laterally flexing and extending the lower cervical region. The thoracis originates from the angles of ribs 7 to 12 and inserts into the angles of the upper six ribs and the transverse process of vertebra C7, extending and laterally flexing the thoracic spine. The iliocostalis lumborum is further divided into lumbar and thoracic parts, with the lumbar portion being the most commonly injured part of the muscle.
The function of the iliocostalis muscle is to extend the spine when contracting bilaterally and to laterally flex the spine when contracting unilaterally. This means that when the muscle contracts on both sides, it extends the spine, and when it contracts on one side, it bends the spine to that side. The iliocostalis lumborum, in particular, contributes to supporting and controlling the orientation of the lumbar spine, along with the multifidus muscle.
The erector spinae muscle group forms a muscle bulk that can be felt running parallel to the spine over the transverse processes of each vertebra. These muscles are vital for allowing free movement of the spine. Exercises such as trunk lateral bending and flexion can help stretch and strengthen the iliocostalis and other erector spinae muscles.
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Frequently asked questions
The iliocostalis is a deep back muscle that is part of the erector spinae muscle group. It is divided into three regional parts: iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum.
The iliocostalis muscle lies over the posterior surface of the thoracic cage and spans the entire back, from the neck to the pelvis.
The function of the iliocostalis muscle is to extend the spine when contracting bilaterally and to laterally flex the spine when contracting unilaterally. It also assists in respiration as an accessory muscle of expiration.
The iliocostalis cervicis originates from the superior aspect of the angle of the third through sixth ribs and inserts onto the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the C4 to C6 vertebrae.
The arterial supply to the iliocostalis muscle is regional. The iliocostalis cervicis is supplied by the occipital, deep cervical, and vertebral arteries, while the iliocostalis thoracis is supplied by the dorsal branches of the posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries.











































