Dominic Stone
The erector spinae muscles are a group of muscles that include the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles. They are located in the intermediate layer of the deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back, extending on either side of the vertebral column, between the base of the cranium and the pelvis. The erector spinae muscles help to move the vertebral column, maintain posture, and stabilize the spine. These muscles are prone to pain and issues, and stretching them can help relieve back pain and tightness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Muscle | Intermediate layer of the deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back |
| Location | Vertebral column, between the base of the cranium and the pelvis |
| Number of Groups | 3 |
| Function | Move the vertebral column, maintain posture by steadying the spine on the pelvis during walking |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Blood Supply | Vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, intercostal and lumbar arteries |
| Innervation | Lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves |
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What You'll Learn
The spinalis, longissimus and iliocostalis muscles
The erector spinae muscles are a group of muscles that run vertically along each of the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebrae. They are divided into three groups, from medial to lateral: spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis. These muscles are responsible for moving the vertebral column, extending the spine, and helping to maintain posture.
The spinalis muscles are the most medial erector spinae muscles and are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. They receive blood supply 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 muscles are the central erector spinae muscles and are also the thickest and longest. They have identical innervation to the spinalis muscles and receive arterial blood from the same sources. The function of the longissimus muscles is to extend and laterally flex the spine, and the longissimus capitis helps to rotate the head ipsilaterally.
The iliocostalis muscles are the most lateral erector spinae muscles and are regionally divided into three groups: iliocostalis colli, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis cervicis. They are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. The arterial supply to the iliocostalis muscles varies regionally. The function of the iliocostalis muscle is to extend and laterally flex the spine, and the iliocostalis lumborum depresses the lower ribs during inhalation and exhalation.
The erector spinae muscles are important for core stability and protecting the spine. They are often overlooked in training, but exercises that focus on core stability and controlled contraction are key to strengthening these muscles.
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The spinalis cervicis and capitis
The erector spinae muscle group runs the length of the spine parallel to the vertebral column. It is divided into three muscles: spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis. The spinalis muscles are the most medial of the three erector spinae muscles. They are slender, flat fascicles of varying lengths that occupy the medial aspect of the erector spinae column of muscles.
The spinalis muscles are divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: Spinalis capitis, Spinalis cervicis, and Spinalis thoracis. The capitis and cervicis groups are often poorly developed. The spinalis capitis muscle originates from the spinous processes of C6-T2 or the associated nuchal ligament and inserts onto the occiput. It is referred to as "capitis" because it has cranial attachments to the base of the skull. The spinalis cervicis muscle originates from the nuchal ligament or the spinous processes of the lower cervical to upper thoracic vertebrae (C7 and T1) and inserts onto the spinous processes of the second or third cervical vertebra.
The spinalis capitis and cervicis muscles work with the other spinalis and greater erector spinae muscles to produce cervical extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the spine and head. Bilateral contraction of these muscles results in neck extension, while unilateral contraction causes ipsilateral lateral flexion of the neck. Injury to the spinalis capitis may occur during whiplash, stress-related shoulder postures, or a blow to the back of the head. Signs and symptoms include headaches, pain in the upper cervical spine extending to the back of the head, and a band of pain in the occipital region of the skull.
The blood supply to the spinalis muscles comes from the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, intercostal, and lumbar arteries. The spinalis muscles are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves.
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The deep muscles of the back
The erector spinae are 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, between the base of the cranium and the pelvis. The erector spinae are divided into three groups, from medial to lateral: spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis. These muscles run vertically along each of the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebrae, connecting each vertebra of the spine to each other.
The spinalis muscles are the most medial erector spinae muscles. They are divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: spinalis capitis, spinalis cervicis, and spinalis thoracis. 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 muscles are the central erector spinae muscles. They are also the thickest and the longest. The longissimus muscles are divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis. The longissimus muscles have an identical innervation to the spinalis muscles. They receive 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 muscles are the most lateral erector spinae muscles. They are regionally divided into three groups, from superior to inferior: iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum. The iliocostalis muscles are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. Arterial supply is via branches of the occipital, deep cervical, vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral arteries. The function of the iliocostalis muscle is to extend and laterally flex the spine.
The erector spinae muscles are the first line of protection for a stable spine. They focus on core stability and help to maintain posture by steadying the spine on the pelvis during walking.
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The intermediate muscles
The erector spinae muscles are a group of muscles and tendons that run along the length of the spine, from the sacrum and hips to the base of the skull. They are also known as the sacrospinalis group of muscles. These muscles are deep, intrinsic muscles of the back and are covered by the thoracolumbar fascia in the lumbar and thoracic regions, and by the nuchal ligament in the cervical region.
The erector spinae are divided into three groups, from medial to lateral: spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis. The longissimus muscles are the intermediate erector spinae muscles and are also the thickest and longest. They are divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis.
The longissimus capitis muscle originates from the transverse processes of vertebrae C4-T5 and inserts into the mastoid process of the temporal bone. It helps to rotate the head ipsilaterally. The longissimus cervicis muscle extends between the transverse processes of vertebrae C2-C6 and the transverse processes of vertebrae T1-T5. The longissimus thoracis muscle originates from the sacrum, spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae, and transverse process of the last thoracic vertebra.
The longissimus muscles have an identical innervation to the spinalis muscles, receiving input from the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the adjacent spinal nerves. They receive 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.
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The superficial muscles
The erector spinae is a group of muscles consisting of the spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis muscles. These muscles run vertically along each of the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebrae, connecting each vertebra of the spine to each other. The erector spinae muscles are responsible for extending, laterally flexing, and rotating the spinal joints. They also play an important role in spinal stability and posture maintenance.
The spinalis muscles are the most medial erector spinae muscles. They are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. The spinalis muscles receive blood supply from the vertebral, deep cervical, occipital, intercostal, and lumbar arteries. These muscles function to extend and laterally flex the cervical and thoracic regions of the spine. The spinalis muscles are divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: the spinalis capitis, spinalis cervicis, and spinalis thoracis.
The longissimus muscles are the central and most prominent erector spinae muscles. They have the same innervation as the spinalis muscles. The longissimus muscles are also divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis. These muscles extend and laterally flex the spine and help rotate the head.
The iliocostalis muscles are the most lateral erector spinae muscles. They are innervated by the lateral branches of the posterior rami of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal nerves. The arterial supply to the iliocostalis muscles is through branches of the occipital, deep cervical, vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral arteries. The function of the iliocostalis muscles is to extend and laterally flex the spine. The iliocostalis muscles are also divided into three regional groups, from superior to inferior: iliocostalis lumborum, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis cervicis.
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Frequently asked questions
The erector spinae muscles are deep muscles of the back that extend and laterally flex the spine. They extend on either side of the vertebral column, between the base of the cranium and the pelvis.
The erector spinae muscles are made up of three groups of muscles: the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis muscles.
The spinal erector muscles help to move the vertebral column. Bilateral contraction of these muscles extends the spine, while unilateral contraction causes lateral flexion. They also help to maintain posture by steadying the spine on the pelvis during walking.
