
The transversospinalis muscle group is a deep group of back muscles that consists of three subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores. These muscles lie deep to the erector spinae and play a crucial role in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture. The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles within the transversospinalis group, spanning up to six vertebral segments. On the other hand, the rotatores muscle, specifically the rotatores brevis, is considered the shortest muscle within the transversospinalis group.
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What You'll Learn
- The semispinalis is the largest muscle in the posterior neck
- The multifidus is the largest muscle in the posterior low back
- The rotatores muscle lies deep to the multifidus
- The semispinalis thoracis is a muscle within the semispinalis group
- The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles of the transversospinalis group

The semispinalis is the largest muscle in the posterior neck
The semispinalis muscle is the largest muscle in the posterior neck. It is a long flat skeletal muscle found along the upper back and posterior neck regions. It is the most superficial of the transversospinal muscles. The semispinalis is divided into three parts: the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and semispinalis thoracis.
The semispinalis capitis is the superior portion of the semispinalis muscle. It lies superficial to the semispinalis cervicis and deep to the splenius capitis and cervicis and trapezius. It originates from the superior articular processes of vertebrae C4-C7 and the tips of the transverse processes of C7 or T1 to T6 or T7. The muscle fibres converge into a single muscle belly that runs superiorly across the lateral side of the vertebral column. The semispinalis capitis assists the obliquus capitis superior, splenius, trapezius, rectus capitis posterior major, and rectus capitis posterior minor muscles to extend the head, cervical, and thoracic spines. Unilateral contraction of the semispinalis capitis results in ipsilateral lateral flexion of the head, cervical, and thoracic spine, and contralateral rotation of the head, cervical, and thoracic spine.
The semispinalis cervicis is the middle portion of the semispinalis muscle. It covers the cervical and thoracic multifidus muscles. The semispinalis cervicis arises by a series of tendinous and fleshy fibres from the transverse processes of the upper five or six thoracic vertebrae and is inserted into the cervical spinous processes, from the axis to the fifth cervical vertebra. The semispinalis cervicis is thicker than the semispinalis thoracis.
The semispinalis thoracis is the inferior portion of the semispinalis muscle. It covers the thoracic multifidus muscle. The semispinalis thoracis consists of thin, narrow, fleshy fasciculi interposed between tendons of considerable length. It arises by a series of small tendons from the transverse processes of the sixth to the tenth thoracic vertebrae and is inserted, by tendons, into the spinous processes of the upper four thoracic and lower two cervical vertebrae.
The semispinalis muscles belong to the intrinsic or deep muscles of the back. They are well-developed and collectively extend from the sacrum to the base of the skull. The semispinalis muscles help stabilise the vertebral column and play a role in proprioception and balance. They also help with the movements of the vertebral column and maintain posture.
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The multifidus is the largest muscle in the posterior low back
The multifidus is a long, narrow muscle that runs down both sides of the spine and is part of the transversospinalis muscle group. It is composed of many short, triangular muscles that span the entire length of the vertebral column, but are thickest and most developed in the lumbar region. The lumbar multifidus muscle is a long muscle with several points of origin, including the back surface of the sacrum, the posterior superior iliac spine, and the mammillary processes of the lumbar vertebrae.
The deep layer of the multifidus is responsible for moving the spine, while the intrinsic and superficial layers are responsible for moving the thoracic cage and shoulders, respectively. The multifidus spans three joint segments and helps to stabilize these joints at each level. The stiffness and stability provided by the multifidus make each vertebra work more effectively and reduce the degeneration of joint structures caused by friction from normal physical activity.
Weakness and atrophy of the multifidus muscle are associated with chronic low back pain. Dysfunction in the lumbar multifidus muscles is strongly associated with low back pain, and this dysfunction can persist even after the pain has subsided. Core stabilization programs and exercises that directly engage the lumbar muscles are recommended to strengthen the multifidus muscle and reduce low back pain.
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The rotatores muscle lies deep to the multifidus
The multifidus muscle is divided into different parts, including cervical multifidus, thoracic multifidus, and lumbar multifidus. Each muscle bridges three to six vertebral levels, attaching to the transverse and spinous processes of vertebrae. The lumbar multifidus, in particular, plays a crucial role in lumbar spine stability and functions in conjunction with the transversus abdominis and pelvic floor muscles. Weakness or atrophy of the multifidus muscle is associated with chronic low back pain.
The rotatores muscle, lying deep to the multifidus, is part of the deep intrinsic layer of back muscles. These deep muscles have special functions that are distinct from other spinal muscles. The rotatores muscle is shorter than the semispinalis and multifidus muscles, making it the shortest muscle in the transversospinalis group.
The deep back muscles, including the rotatores and multifidus, work together to provide support for the body and maintain posture. They enable various movements of the head, neck, and trunk, including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and axial rotation of the vertebral column. The deep muscles of the back are innervated by the segmental branches of the posterior rami of spinal nerves and receive a blood supply from several arteries along the vertebral column.
The rotatores muscle, being the shortest in the transversospinalis group, has unique functions and contributes to specific movements and stability of the spine. Its location deep to the multifidus highlights the complex arrangement of back muscles and their coordinated actions in maintaining posture and facilitating movement.
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The semispinalis thoracis is a muscle within the semispinalis group
The semispinalis thoracis consists of five fascicles that come together to form a single muscle belly, which inserts onto the spinous processes of the sixth cervical to fourth thoracic vertebrae. This muscle is thin and narrow, and its fibres travel superiorly along the upper back regions. The semispinalis thoracis is the most superficial muscle in the transversospinalis group, and it spans the thoracic and cervical regions of the vertebral column.
The semispinalis thoracis aids several movements of the vertebral column, including extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the thoracic spine. It works together with the semispinalis capitis and cervicis to support similar movements in the head and neck. The deep back muscles, including the semispinalis thoracis, help to maintain the body's posture and produce movements of the head, neck, and trunk.
The semispinalis thoracis sits medial to the erector spinae muscle group and lateral to the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. Beneath it lie the rotatores and levatores costarum muscles, while it is covered superficially by the spinalis thoracis, which is part of the erector spinae group. The semispinalis thoracis is innervated by the dorsal rami of the cervical spinal nerves.
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The semispinalis muscles have the longest fascicles of the transversospinalis group
The semispinalis muscles are the longest fascicles of the transversospinalis group, spanning six segments. The muscles in this group include the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and semispinalis thoracis. The semispinalis cervicis and capitis lie deep to the upper trapezius, and the semispinalis capitis is the largest muscle in the posterior neck.
The semispinalis muscles are part of the intrinsic or deep muscles that fuse with the vertebral column. They are considered true back muscles, along with the multifidus and rotatores muscles, which together form the transversospinalis muscle group. These muscles are well-developed and collectively extend from the sacrum to the base of the skull. They play a crucial role in stabilising the vertebrae and maintaining posture. 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.
The semispinalis capitis is considered a prime mover for dynamically maintaining the cervical lordosis during bilateral contraction. It also plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of the head on the neck. The semispinalis cervicis, on the other hand, is the middle portion of the semispinalis muscle group. It covers the cervical and thoracic multifidus muscles. The semispinalis thoracis is the inferior portion, characterised by thin, fleshy fascicles with long tendons at either end. It covers the thoracic multifidus muscle.
The deep back muscles, also known as intrinsic or true back muscles, consist of four layers: superficial, intermediate, deep, and deepest. These layers lie on each side of the vertebral column and span its entire length, from the cranium to the pelvis. The semispinalis muscles, being part of the deep layer, help stabilise the vertebrae during localised movements of the intervertebral joints of the vertebral column. They work together with other muscles to support and maintain the body's posture and produce movements of the head, neck, and trunk.
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Frequently asked questions
The Transversospinalis is a group of deep back muscles that lie deep to the Erector Spinae. It consists of three subgroups: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotatores.
The shortest Transversospinalis muscle is the rotatores brevis. It passes from the transverse process to insert at the base of the spinous process of the vertebrae above its origin.
The Transversospinalis muscles function in spinal stability, proprioception, and posture. They also contribute to the rotation and extension of the vertebral column.
The multifidus is the largest muscle in the posterior low back, while the semispinalis is the largest in the posterior neck.















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