Alec Titan
The longissimus muscle is a deep muscle in the back that runs parallel to the spine. It is part of the erector spinae muscle group, which is a large musculotendinous complex that runs along the vertebral column. The longissimus is the longest and thickest muscle in this group and is divided into three sections: thoracis, cervicis, and capitis. The thoracis section is the largest and longest of the three. The longissimus muscle plays an important role in spinal extension and lateral flexion, and it is the only erector spinae muscle to reach the skull.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Muscle | Long intrinsic muscle of the back |
| Muscle Group | Erector spinae |
| Muscle Position | Central within the erector spinae group |
| Muscle Divisions | Longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus capitis |
| Muscle Attachments | Transverse processes of C2-C7, T1-T5, and the occipital bone |
| Muscle Insertions | Mastoid process of the temporal bone |
| Muscle Innervation | Posterior rami of spinal nerves |
| Muscle Blood Supply | Dorsal branches of posterior intercostal and sacral arteries |
| Function | Spine extension, lateral flexion, and head rotation |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The longissimus thoracis
The longissimus muscle is a deep muscle of the back that spans the entire length of the vertebral column. It is the longest, thickest and most central muscle of the erector spinae group, which is a large musculotendinous complex that runs along the vertebral column and comprises the intermediate layer of the intrinsic, or deep, back muscles. The erector spinae muscles, including longissimus, are the most powerful extensors of the vertebral column.
The longissimus is divided into three parts based on their superior attachments and location: capitis, cervicis, and thoracis. This answer will focus on the longissimus thoracis.
In the thoracic region, the longissimus thoracis is inserted by rounded tendons into the tips of the transverse processes of all the thoracic vertebrae and by fleshy processes into the lower nine or ten ribs between their tubercles and angles. This insertion pattern is similar to that of the longissimus cervicis, which is situated medial to the longissimus thoracis and arises by long, thin tendons from the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae 1-5. The longissimus capitis lies medial to the longissimus cervicis and is inserted into the posterior margin of the mastoid process, beneath the splenius capitis and sternocleidomastoid muscles.
Muscle Pharm Protein: Is It Harmful to Your Health?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The longissimus cervicis
The longissimus muscle is a long, thick, intrinsic muscle of the back. It is the longest subdivision of the erector spinae muscles, which run along the entire length of the vertebral column. The erector spinae group includes the longissimus, spinalis, and iliocostalis muscles. The longissimus is the longest, thickest, and most central of these muscles.
The longissimus is divided into three parts based on their superior attachments and location: the longissimus capitis, cervicis, and thoracis. The longissimus cervicis is the middle portion of the muscle, located between the longissimus capitis and longissimus thoracis. It originates from the transverse processes of the first five thoracic vertebrae (T1-T5) and ascends between the tendons of the longissimus capitis and longissimus thoracis to insert at the posterior tubercle of the transverse processes of vertebrae C2-C6.
The longissimus capitis lies medial to the longissimus cervicis, between it and the semispinalis capitis. It arises by tendons from the transverse processes of the upper four or five thoracic vertebrae and the articular processes of the lower three or four cervical vertebrae. The longissimus capitis inserts at the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, adjacent to the attachments of the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles.
Lunges: Effective Muscle Builder or Just a Stretch?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$18.6 $24.95
The longissimus capitis
The longissimus muscle is a long, deep muscle of the back that spans the entire length of the vertebral column. It is the longest, thickest, and most central erector spinae muscle. The erector spinae is a large musculotendinous complex that runs along the vertebral column and comprises the intermediate layer of the intrinsic, or deep, back muscles.
The longissimus muscle is divided into three parts based on their superior attachments and location: longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis. The focus here will be on the longissimus capitis.
Longissimus capitis is the most cranially positioned of the three parts of the longissimus muscle. It arises from the transverse processes of the first 4-5 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T5) and ascends superiorly across the lateral surface of the semispinalis capitis muscle. Along its way, it attaches to the transverse processes of the last 3-4 cervical vertebrae (C4-C7). It finally inserts at the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, near the attachment points of the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles. The occipital artery runs close to this attachment point.
Building Muscle Definition: Nature or Nurture?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.41 $44.99
The longissimus lumborum
The longissimus muscle is a long, deep, intrinsic muscle of the back. It is the longest, thickest, and most central muscle of the erector spinae group, which is a large musculotendinous complex that runs along the entire length of the vertebral column. The erector spinae muscles, including longissimus, are the most powerful extensors of the vertebral column.
The longissimus muscle is divided into three parts—capitis, cervicis, and thoracis—based on their superior attachments and location. The longissimus thoracis is further divided into a lumbar and thoracic portion. While some sources claim that the lumbar portion of longissimus thoracis is an independent fourth part of the longissimus muscle, named longissimus lumborum, it is more widely accepted as a part of longissimus thoracis.
In the lumbar region (longissimus lumborum), the muscle fibres are attached to the whole length of the posterior surfaces of the transverse processes and the accessory processes of the lumbar vertebrae. Here, the longissimus lumborum is blended with the iliocostalis. It is also attached to the anterior layer of the lumbodorsal fascia. The longissimus thoracis, on the other hand, is located in the thoracic region, where it is inserted into the tips of the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae and the lower nine or ten ribs.
The longissimus capitis arises from the transverse processes of the first four to five thoracic vertebrae and ascends across the lateral surface of the semispinalis capitis muscle. It inserts at the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, where it lies adjacent and deep to the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles. The longissimus cervicis is the middle portion of the muscle, located between the longissimus capitis and longissimus thoracis. It arises from the transverse processes of the first five thoracic vertebrae.
Elliptical Training: Muscle Toning and Fitness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.43 $27.99
The erector spinae muscle group
The longissimus muscle is a deep muscle in the back that spans the entire length of the vertebral column. It is the longest subdivision of the erector spinae muscles. The erector spinae is a large musculotendinous complex that forms the intermediate layer of the intrinsic, or deep, back muscles. The longissimus is the longest, thickest, and most central muscle in this group. It is divided into three parts—capitis, cervicis, and thoracis—based on their superior attachments and location.
The erector spinae muscles, including the longissimus, are the most powerful extensors of the vertebral column. Their main actions include spine extension and lateral flexion. The longissimus thoracis is the largest and longest muscle of the erector spinae group and of the back. It originates from the dorsal surface of the sacrum and its median sacral crest, the medial surface of the posterior superior iliac, and the lumbar region, where it is blended with the iliocostalis. Fibers of the longissimus thoracis are attached to the whole length of the posterior surfaces of the transverse processes and the accessory processes of the lumbar vertebrae, and to the anterior layer of the lumbodorsal fascia. In the thoracic region, it is inserted into the tips of the transverse processes of all the thoracic vertebrae and the lower nine or ten ribs between their tubercles and angles.
The longissimus cervicis is the middle portion of the muscle, located between the longissimus capitis and longissimus thoracis. It arises by long, thin tendons from the summits of the transverse processes of the first five thoracic vertebrae and is inserted by similar tendons into the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the second to sixth cervical vertebrae.
The longissimus capitis is the most cranially positioned of the three parts. It arises from the transverse processes of the first four or five thoracic vertebrae and ascends superiorly across the lateral surface of the semispinalis capitis muscle. Along the way, it attaches to the transverse processes of the last three or four cervical vertebrae. It finally inserts at the lateral surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, adjacent to the attachments of the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles. The longissimus capitis is also the only erector spinae muscle to reach the skull.
The Secret to Unlocking Your IPC Muscle's Full Potential
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The longissimus muscle is a deep muscle in the back that runs parallel to the spine.
The longissimus muscle is divided into three sections, from bottom to top: longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus capitis.
The longissimus muscle is the most powerful extensor of the vertebral column. Its main actions include spine extension and lateral flexion.
