Logan Steele
The vertebral column, or spine, is made up of 33 interconnected vertebrae and their intervening joints. It forms the axial skeleton, along with the skull and rib cage. The vertebral column is supported by numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which provide it with flexibility and a wide range of motion. The muscles of the back can be divided into three groups: superficial, intermediate, and intrinsic. The intrinsic muscles are the true back muscles, as they are the only ones that fuse with the vertebral column. These muscles are responsible for movements of the vertebral column, such as flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending. The multifidus, semispinalis, and rotatores muscles are examples of intrinsic muscles that help to stabilize the vertebral column and maintain posture. The superficial and intermediate muscles are also important for back movements, but they are not considered true back muscles as they are primarily involved in shoulder and neck movements, as well as the movement of the thoracic cage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle groups | Intrinsic, superficial, intermediate |
| Muscle types | Immigrant, extrinsic, deep, true back |
| Muscle names | Erector spinae, iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis, semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores, quadratus lumborum, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboids, serratus posterior, transversus abdominis, internal obliques, external obliques, pyramidalis |
| Functions | Flexion/extension, rotation, side bending, locomotor function, breathing, stabilization, posture control, vertebral column movement, protection of spinal cord, respiration, maintenance of upright posture, weight transmission |
| Number of vertebrae | 33 |
| Number of cervical vertebrae | 7 |
| Number of thoracic vertebrae | 12 |
| Number of lumbar vertebrae | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- The multifidus, semispinalis, and rotatores muscles are deep intrinsic muscles that stabilise the vertebral column
- The erector spinae is a group of muscles in the lower back that help maintain posture
- The transversospinalis muscles assist in bending the back posteriorly when contracted bilaterally
- The iliocostalis, spinalis, and longissimus muscles help extend the vertebral column and neck
- Rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and pyramidalis muscles help with spinal flexion
The multifidus, semispinalis, and rotatores muscles are deep intrinsic muscles that stabilise the vertebral column
The back muscles can be divided into three groups: superficial, intermediate, and intrinsic or deep muscles. The superficial muscles help with shoulder and neck movements, while the intermediate muscles help with the movement of the thoracic cage. The intrinsic or deep muscles are the only group considered true back muscles. They fuse with the vertebral column and help with its movement and posture control.
The deep intrinsic muscles play a crucial role in stabilising the vertebrae during movements of the spine. When these muscles contract bilaterally, they extend the vertebral column at all levels. On the other hand, unilateral contraction produces ipsilateral lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the vertebral column. This adaptability in length helps to stabilise the vertebrae during movement.
The deep back muscles are well-developed and extend from the base of the skull to the sacrum. They are enclosed by fascia and play a role in proprioception and balance. These muscles are vulnerable during surgical procedures due to their segmental innervation. Strengthening the deep back muscles through core strength training can effectively alleviate chronic low back pain.
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The erector spinae is a group of muscles in the lower back that help maintain posture
The vertebral column, or spine, is formed by a chain of 33 interconnected vertebrae and their intervening joints. It forms the axial skeleton together with the skull and rib cage. The vertebral column is made up of 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck, 12 thoracic vertebrae in the torso, and 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back.
The erector spinae can be divided into three regional groups, named for the region they span: iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis. The iliocostalis muscle helps to extend the neck and vertebral column, and can move the ribs as it is attached to them. The longissimus muscle is the largest of the three columns and can be divided into three parts: thoracic, cervicis, and capitis. The spinalis muscle is located medially within the erector spinae and 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.
The deep intrinsic muscles located underneath the erector spinae are known collectively as the transversospinales. These include the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores muscles. These muscles are associated with the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebral column and help to stabilize the vertebral column and maintain posture. The semispinalis is the most superficial of the deep intrinsic muscles and can be divided into the thoracic, cervicis, and capitis.
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The transversospinalis muscles assist in bending the back posteriorly when contracted bilaterally
The vertebral column, or spine, is formed by a chain of 33 interconnected vertebrae and their intervening joints. The muscles of the back can be divided into three groups: superficial, intermediate, and intrinsic (or deep). Only the intrinsic muscles are considered true back muscles. These muscles are enclosed by fascia and are associated with the spinous and transverse processes of the vertebrae. They help with the movement of the vertebral column and maintain posture.
The transversospinalis muscles are a group of deep intrinsic muscles that assist in bending the back posteriorly when contracted bilaterally. They 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. These muscles include the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. The semispinalis is the most superficial of the deep intrinsic muscles and can be divided into thoracic, cervicis, and capitis sections. The multifidus muscles originate on the sacrum and vertebrae and insert into more superior vertebrae, extending and rotating the vertebral column when contracted as a pair.
Other muscles that help with the extension of the vertebral column include the erector spinae, which is a group of muscles in the lower back that help the body maintain good posture. The erector spinae include the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles. The longissimus muscle is the largest of the three columns and can also be divided into thoracic, cervicis, and capitis sections. The spinalis muscle is the smallest of the three columns and is located medially within the erector spinae.
In addition to the intrinsic back muscles, the abdominal muscles also play a role in spinal flexion and stabilization. The rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and pyramidalis muscles are involved in flexing the vertebral column and stabilizing the pelvis and lumbar spine.
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The iliocostalis, spinalis, and longissimus muscles help extend the vertebral column and neck
The back muscles can be divided into three groups: superficial, intermediate, and intrinsic. The superficial muscles are associated with the movement of the shoulder, the intermediate muscles are associated with the movement of the thoracic cage, and the intrinsic muscles are associated with the movement of the vertebral column. The intrinsic muscles are also called the true back muscles. They are located deep to the extrinsic muscles, separated by the thoracolumbar fascia.
The erector spinae is a group of muscles that comprise the intermediate layer of the deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back. They extend on either side of the vertebral column, from the base of the cranium to the pelvis. The erector spinae is divided into three groups, from medial to lateral: spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis.
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. The spinalis muscles are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. The blood supply to the spinalis muscles comes from the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, intercostal, and lumbar arteries. The function of the spinalis muscles is to extend and laterally flex the cervical and thoracic regions of the spine.
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. The longissimus muscles have an identical innervation to the spinalis muscles, receiving arterial blood from branches of the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, transverse cervical, intercostal, and sacral arteries. The function of the longissimus muscles is to extend and laterally flex the spine. Longissimus capitis also helps to rotate the head ipsilaterally.
The iliocostalis muscle is the most lateral of the erector spinae muscles. It is divided into three regional parts according to their origin: iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum. The function of the iliocostalis muscle is to extend the spine when contracting bilaterally and to laterally flex the spine when contracting unilaterally. The iliocostalis muscle spans the entire back, from the neck to the pelvis.
In summary, the iliocostalis, spinalis, and longissimus muscles are all part of the erector spinae group, which is responsible for moving the vertebral column. These muscles work together to produce movements of the vertebral column, including extension and lateral flexion of the spine. Therefore, these muscles help extend the vertebral column and neck when they contract bilaterally.
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Rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and pyramidalis muscles help with spinal flexion
The vertebral column, or the spine, is a flexible structure that can move in several directions, including forward and side-to-side flexion, extension, and rotation. This movement is made possible by several muscle groups, including the deep intrinsic muscles, which are located underneath the erector spinae, and are known collectively as the transversospinales.
The rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and pyramidalis muscles are all abdominal muscles that form the abdominal walls and line the abdomen, which is the trunk of the body. These muscles, along with the transversus abdominis, make up the core muscles and help protect the spine and keep the body stable and balanced.
The rectus abdominis is the most superficial of the abdominal muscles and is commonly referred to as the "'six-pack." It acts to flex the spinal column, tense the anterior wall of the abdomen, and assist in compressing the contents of the abdomen. It also helps with core stability and protects the lower back from injury.
The internal and external obliques are a pair of muscles on each side of the rectus abdominis. The external obliques are the largest of the flat muscles and allow the trunk to twist from side to side. The internal obliques are much thinner and smaller, running from the sides of the trunk towards the middle.
The pyramidalis muscle is a small, triangular-shaped muscle located at the base of the pubic bone. It helps maintain internal pressure in the abdomen. Interestingly, about 20% of people do not have this muscle.
Together, these muscles help facilitate spinal flexion and contribute to the overall stability and movement of the vertebral column.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles that flex the vertebral column are the deep intrinsic muscles, which are located underneath the erector spinae. The three major muscles in this group are the semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores.
The vertebral column, or spine, is the bony core of the back. It is formed by a chain of 33 interconnected vertebrae and their intervening joints. It forms the axial skeleton together with the skull and rib cage.
The intrinsic back muscles are responsible for flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending of the back, as well as movement of the limbs and assistance in breathing. They also play a role in proprioception and balance.
Core strength training, including deep back muscles, is more effective than typical resistance training for alleviating chronic low back pain.
