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The torso, or trunk, is the central part of the body to which the head and limbs are attached. The torso houses all the vital organs of the body, except for the brain. The muscles of the torso are divided into two groups based on their location: anterior and posterior torso muscles. These muscles have several important functions, including protecting the organs, assisting with breathing, and enabling movement. The torso muscles can be further categorised into various muscle groups, such as the abdominal muscles, back muscles, and chest muscles, each serving unique purposes and contributing to the overall function and stability of the torso.
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What You'll Learn
Abdominal muscles
The abdominal muscles are a group of muscles that line the walls of the abdomen, which is the front section of the torso or trunk. They are located between the rib cage and the pelvis.
There are five main abdominal muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis. These muscles work together with other core muscles to keep the body stable and balanced. They also help to protect the spine and regulate internal pressure in the abdomen.
The rectus abdominis is a pair of vertical muscles that run down the middle of the abdomen on either side. They are divided by a muscle called the linea alba. These muscles help to hold internal organs in place and keep the body stable during movement.
The other four abdominal muscles are flat muscles that are stacked on top of each other towards the sides of the trunk. The external and internal obliques work together with the rectus abdominis to control the movement of the spine, pelvis, and rib cage during gait. For example, when one side of the body is in motion, the rectus abdominis and external oblique on the opposite side work together to control the movement of the pelvis and torso.
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Intercostal muscles
The intercostal muscles are a group of intrinsic rib cage muscles that occupy the 11 intercostal spaces between the ribs. They are divided into three groups, from superficial to deep: external, internal, and innermost intercostals. These muscles support the rib cage and are accessory respiratory muscles, participating in the process of forced breathing.
The external intercostals are the most superficial intercostal muscles. They facilitate forced inspiration by elevating the ribs and bending them open, thus expanding the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. The muscle fibres are directed downwards, forwards, and medially in the anterior part. The blood supply to the external intercostals comes from the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries.
The internal intercostals form the middle layer of the intercostal musculature. They originate from the costal groove of one rib, course inferolaterally, and insert into the superior border of the immediate rib below. The internal intercostals aid in forced expiration by depressing the ribs and bending them inward, thereby decreasing the transverse dimensions of the thoracic cavity. Their blood supply is the same as that of the external intercostals, coming from the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries.
The innermost intercostals are the deepest intercostal muscles. They originate from the same costal groove as the internal intercostals but are separated from them by a neurovascular bundle. They course in the same inferomedial direction as the internal intercostals and insert into the superior border of the rib below. The innermost intercostals assist the internal and external intercostals in their function, crossing more than one intercostal space.
Intercostal muscle strains can occur due to weakened muscles, overexertion, direct trauma, or repetitive torso twisting. Symptoms of a strain include pain in the upper back or rib cage, muscle tension and stiffness, and difficulty breathing due to pain, which may lead to reduced blood oxygenation.
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Thoracic cage muscles
The thoracic cage, or thorax, is the central part of the body to which the head and limbs are attached. The thoracic wall forms the anterior, posterior, and lateral boundaries of the thorax. The muscles of the thoracic cage are the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, subclavius, intercostal (external, internal, and innermost), subcostal, and transversus thoracis muscles, including the diaphragm.
The intercostal muscles lie in the intercostal spaces between the ribs and consist of three layers of muscles, from superficial to deep: external, internal, and innermost intercostals. The fibres of the external intercostal muscles originate from the inferior border of the ribs and extend in an inferomedial direction to the superior border of the rib below. The internal intercostal muscles extend in an inferoposterior direction from the costal groove of the ribs until the superior border of the rib below. The innermost intercostals also originate from the costal groove of the ribs and insert onto the superior border of the rib below.
The subcostalis exists in the same layer as the innermost intercostal muscle and is present in abundance in the lower regions of the posterior thoracic wall. They originate from the internal aspect of one of the lower ribs and insert onto the internal aspect of the second or third rib below. The transversus thoracis also appears in the same space as the innermost intercostal muscle. They originate from the lower posterior sternum, spread across the inner surface of the thoracic cage, and insert onto ribs 2 through 6. Both of these muscles aid in depressing the ribs during forced expiration.
The thoracic cage muscles are involved in movements of the upper limb and respiration. They attach the upper limb to the axial skeleton of the trunk and support the thoracic cage.
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Core muscles
The torso, or trunk, is the central region of the body that connects the upper and lower extremities. The core is the group of trunk and hip muscles that surround the spine, abdominal viscera, and hip. Core muscles are essential for maintaining proper load balance within the spine, pelvis, and kinetic chain. They also spare the spine from excessive load and are crucial for force transfer between the upper and lower body.
The core muscles include the abdominal muscles in the front, paraspinals and gluteals in the back, the diaphragm as the roof, and the pelvic floor and hip girdle musculature as the bottom. The core muscles can be divided into two groups: stabilisers and global movers. A coordinated contraction of all stabilisers and global movers is needed for optimal spinal stabilisation.
The abdominal muscle group includes the transversus abdominis, internal and external obliques, and rectus abdominis. The transversus abdominis wraps around the spine and supports the spine and pelvis. The internal and external obliques are located above the pelvic floor and allow the trunk to twist and turn. The rectus abdominis are known as the "six-pack" muscles.
Minor (peripheral) core muscles include the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and gluteus maximus. The main functions of core muscles include stabilising structures of the thoracic and lumbopelvic regions, supporting posture, coordinating movement, and transferring force between the upper and lower body.
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Erector spinae group
The erector spinae muscles are a group of muscles that play a crucial role in spinal stability and posture control. They are located in the intermediate layer of the deep, intrinsic muscles of the back and extend along either side of the vertebral column, from the base of the skull to the pelvis. The erector spinae are divided into three main groups, namely the spinalis, longissimus, and iliocostalis.
Spinalis, the most medial of the erector spinae muscles, consists of three regional groups: spinalis capitis, spinalis cervicis, and spinalis thoracis. Spinalis capitis originates from the C7-T1 vertebrae and inserts into the occipital bone, contributing to head and neck stability.
Longissimus muscles form the central and thickest part of the erector spinae group. They are divided into three sections: longissimus capitis, longissimus colli, and longissimus thoracis. Longissimus capitis originates from the C4-T5 vertebrae and inserts into the temporal bone, playing a role in neck movements. Longissimus colli spans between C2-C6 and T1-T5 vertebrae, while longissimus thoracis consists of thoracic and lumbar parts that attach to the ribs and vertebrae.
Iliocostalis muscles are the most lateral group of erector spinae. They are also divided into three sections: iliocostalis colli, iliocostalis thoracis, and iliocostalis lumborum. Iliocostalis colli originates from ribs 3 to 6 and attaches to vertebrae C4-C6. Iliocostalis thoracis arises from ribs 7 to 12 and connects to ribs 1 to 6 and vertebra C7. Iliocostalis lumborum has a more complex origin, including the sacrum, iliac crest, and thoracolumbar fascia, and it attaches to ribs 5 to 12 and vertebrae L1 to L4.
Overall, the erector spinae muscles are responsible for moving the vertebral column, maintaining posture, and providing spinal stability. Their contraction can lead to back and head extension, as well as lateral flexion and rotation of the vertebral column.
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Frequently asked questions
The torso contains over 30 pairs of skeletal muscles, including the abdominals, pectorals, erector spinae, serratus anterior and posterior, intercostals, latissimus dorsi, and rhomboids.
The muscles of the torso enable movement of the lumbar and thoracic spine, ribs, and proximal limbs, facilitate breathing, and protect the vital organs.
The core muscles include the abdominal muscle group (transversus abdominis, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis), the middle and lower sections of the erector spinae group, and minor core muscles such as the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and gluteus maximus.
The torso muscles, particularly the abdominal and back muscles, work together to support the spine and enable movement. They allow for a range of motions, including bending over, twisting, turning the head, and extending the back.
