
The transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep intrinsic back muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column. They are composed of three subgroups: the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles. These muscles are responsible for spinal stability, proprioception, and posture, and they assist in the rotation and extension of the vertebral column. The transversospinalis muscles are covered by deep fascia, which plays a crucial role in their organisation and movement. They are also involved in controlling posture and are associated with the movements of the vertebral column.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A collective term for the muscles of the back, primarily medial to the iliocostalis and longissimus muscles and lateral to the spinalis, interspinalis and intertransversarius groups. |
| Location | Between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column, deep to the erector spinae muscles. |
| Composition | Three subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. |
| Function | Spinal stability, proprioception, posture, and rotation and extension of the vertebral column. |
| Structure | The semispinalis is the most superficial muscle, followed by the multifidus and then the rotatores, which are the deepest muscles. |
| Innervation | Dorsal rami of the spinal nerves. |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, transverse cervical, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral arteries. |
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What You'll Learn

Transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep back muscles
The transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep back muscles that lie underneath the erector spinae. They are composed of three subgroups: the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles. These muscles are small and have a limited role in movement. However, they play a crucial role in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture, helping to stabilize the vertebral column during localized movements of the intervertebral joints.
The semispinalis is the most superficial muscle in this group, spanning the thoracic and cervical regions of the vertebral column and attaching to the occipital bone at the base of the skull. It originates from the transverse processes and crosses between four and six vertebrae to attach to the spinous processes. The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles within the transversospinalis group, spanning six segments. Bilateral contraction of the semispinalis capitis pulls the head posteriorly, while unilateral contraction pulls the head posteriorly and rotates the chin to the same side.
The multifidus muscle is part of the intermediate layer of the transversospinalis group. It is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column, with the thickest and most developed region being the lumbar area. The multifidus has three regional divisions: cervicis, thoracis, and lumborum. The nerve supply to the multifidus is derived from the medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves in the corresponding cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the transversospinalis group and have the shortest fascicles, spanning one to two segments. They lie deep to the multifidus and are most prominent in the thoracic region. The rotatores consist of two parts: longus (long) and brevis (short). The longus passes from the transverse process medially to the spinous process, crossing two vertebrae, while the brevis passes from the transverse process and inserts at the base of the spinous process of the vertebrae above its origin. The rotatores muscles contribute to the extension and rotation of the vertebral column.
The deep muscles of the back, including the transversospinalis group, develop embryologically in the back and are therefore described as intrinsic muscles. They are associated with the movements of the vertebral column and play a crucial role in controlling posture, extending from the sacrum to the base of the skull.
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They lie between the transverse and spinous processes
The transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep intrinsic back muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes. They are made up of the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles. These muscles are extensors of the back and neck and play a role in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture. They help to stabilise the vertebrae during localised movements of the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column.
The semispinalis is the most superficial muscle in this group, spanning the thoracic and cervical regions of the vertebral column, with an attachment to the occipital bone at the base of the skull. The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles of the transversospinalis group, spanning six segments. Bilateral contraction of the semispinalis capitis pulls the head posteriorly, while unilateral contraction pulls the head posteriorly and rotates the chin to the same side of the contracting muscle.
The multifidus is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column, with the thickest and most developed muscles in the lumbar region. The multifidus cervicis arises from the superior articular processes of vertebrae C4-C7, the multifidus thoracis originates from the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra, and the multifidus lumborum arises from the mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae. The nerve supply to the multifidus muscle is derived from the medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves in the corresponding cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the transversospinalis group and have the shortest fascicles, spanning one to two segments. They are most prominent in the thoracic region and consist of two parts: the long (longus) and short (brevis) rotatores. The long rotatores pass from the transverse process medially to the spinous process, crossing two vertebrae, while the rotatores brevis pass from the transverse process and insert at the base of the spinous process of the vertebrae above the origin.
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.
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The three subgroups are rotatores, multifidus, and semispinalis
The transversospinalis muscle group is a deep group of intrinsic back muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column. They are composed of three subgroups: rotatores, multifidus, and semispinalis. These muscles are responsible for spinal stability, proprioception, and posture, and they help to stabilise the vertebrae during localised movements of the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column.
The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the transversospinalis group. They have the shortest fascicles, spanning one to two segments. These muscles lie deep to the multifidus and span the entire length of the vertebral column, with the most prominent development in the thoracic region. The rotatores consist of two parts: the long (longus) and short (brevis). The long rotatores pass from the transverse process medially to the spinous process, crossing two vertebrae, while the rotatores brevis pass from the transverse process and insert at the base of the spinous process of the vertebrae above the origin. Their attachment sites include the lumbar vertebrae (rotatores lumborum), thoracic vertebrae (rotatores thoracis), and cervical vertebrae (rotatores cervicis).
The multifidus muscle is part of the intermediate layer of the transversospinalis muscle group. It is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column, with the greatest development in the lumbar region. The multifidus has three regional divisions: cervicis, thoracis, and lumborum. The multifidus cervicis arises from the superior articular processes of vertebrae C4-C7, while the multifidus thoracis originates from the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra. The multifidus lumborum arises from the mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae, the posterior aspect of the sacrum, and the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) of the ilium. The nerve supply to the multifidus muscle is derived from the medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves in the corresponding cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
The semispinalis is the most superficial muscle of the transversospinalis group. It spans the thoracic and cervical regions of the vertebral column, attaching to the occipital bone at the base of the skull. The semispinalis has the longest fascicles within the transversospinalis group, spanning four to six vertebral segments. The semispinalis capitis muscle starts from the superior articular processes C4 or C5 to C7 and the tips of the transverse processes of C7 or T1 to T6 or T7. Bilateral contraction of the semispinalis capitis pulls the head posteriorly, while unilateral contraction pulls the head posteriorly and rotates the chin to the same side.
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They run obliquely and medially from the transverse process of the vertebra
The transversospinalis muscle group is a deep group of intrinsic back muscles that lie deep to the erector spinae. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the vertebral column and the control of posture. They are composed of short muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column.
The transversospinalis muscles run obliquely and medially from the transverse process of the vertebra below to the spinous process, filling the groove on either side of the spinous process. They arise from the transverse processes of the vertebral column and run upwards and medially in an oblique fashion to insert on the spinous processes of superior vertebrae. The muscles of the transversospinalis group stabilize the vertebrae during localized movements of the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column.
The transversospinalis muscle group consists of three subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. The semispinalis muscles are the most superficial of the three subgroups, spanning the thoracic, cervical, and occipital regions. They originate from the transverse process and cross between four and six vertebrae to attach to the spinous process. The multifidus muscle is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column, with the thickest and most developed region being the lumbar region. The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the transversospinalis group, with the shortest fascicles spanning one to two segments. They are most prominent in the thoracic region and contribute to the extension and rotation of the vertebral column.
The transversospinalis muscles share the same nerve supply from the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves and receive blood from various arteries, including the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, transverse cervical, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral arteries. The combined action of these muscles is the rotation and extension of the vertebral column, with bilateral contraction extending the spine and unilateral contraction causing rotation.
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They are extensors of the back and neck
The transversospinalis muscle group is a deep group of intrinsic back muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column. They are made up of rotatores, multifidus, and semispinalis muscles. These muscles are extensors of the back and neck, and they play a crucial role in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture control.
The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the transversospinalis group and have the shortest fascicles, spanning one to two vertebral segments. They originate from the vertebral transverse processes and contribute to the extension and rotation of the vertebral column. The multifidus muscle is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column. It is most developed in the lumbar region and helps to stabilise the vertebrae.
The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles in the transversospinalis group, spanning four to six vertebral segments. They are the most superficial muscles in the group and are attached to the thoracic vertebrae, cervical vertebrae, and occipital bone at the base of the skull. Bilateral contraction of the semispinalis muscles pulls the head posteriorly, while unilateral contraction pulls the head posteriorly and rotates the chin to the same side.
Overall, the transversospinalis muscles work together to provide extension and rotation of the vertebral column, contributing to spinal stability and posture control. They are an essential part of the deep muscle system of the back and neck, facilitating smooth and coordinated movements in these regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep back muscles that lie between the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column. They are made up of the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles.
The transversospinalis muscles function in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture, helping to stabilize the vertebral column during localized movements of the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column.
The transversospinalis muscle group consists of three subgroups: the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles. The semispinalis is the most superficial muscle in this group, spanning the thoracic and cervical regions of the vertebral column. The multifidus is an intermediate layer composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column. The rotatores are the deepest muscles in the group and have the shortest fascicles, spanning one to two vertebral segments.
The transversospinalis muscles have a combined action of rotation and extension of the vertebral column. Bilateral contraction of these muscles extends the spine, while unilateral contraction rotates the spine to the opposite side.











































