Download The muscles of the back · Main components of the spinal column

B 07
The superficial layer of the muscles of the back serves mainly to provide respiratory support (e. g.: musculus
serratus posterior) and enable the shoulder-arm region to move (e. g.: musculus latissimus dorsi) (1), musculus
trapezius (2) and musculus rhomboideus (3).
• Cross-section of surface muscles of the back
· Musculus trapezius (2)
· Musculus rhomboideus (3)
· Musculus latissimus dorsi (1)
The deeper layers of the muscles of the back are known as the true or autochthonous back muscles. A highly
differentiated complex of muscle groups, they also connect the spinous and transverse processes of the
vertebrae.
The interplay of all these muscle groups facilitates the extension, flexion, rotation and lateral movement of the
back.
The musculus erector spinae (4), the sacrospinalis muscle or “extensor of the back” is an important component
consisting of a number of individual muscles and extending from the pelvis to the head.
Additional systems of muscles can be differentiated deep in the muscles of the back
· Muscles of the spinal system, the origins and insertions of which are at the vertebral spinous processes, such
as the musculus spinalis (6)
· Muscles of the transversospinal system connecting the transverse processes to the spinous processes of the
vertebrae. The musculi rotatores thoracis (8) and musculi multifidi (7) are typical of this group. Finally, there are
the
· Muscles of the intertransverse system that connect the transverse processes of the vertebrae to one another
(e.g.: musculi intertransversarii (9)).
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Harms · Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach · Guttmannstraße 1 · 76307 Karlsbad
© www.harms-spinesurgery.com 2007. All rights reserved.
Spine Surgery Information Portal · Prof. Dr. Jürgen Harms · www.harms-spinesurgery.com
The muscles of the back · Main components of the spinal column • Anatomy
The muscles of the back · Main components of the spinal column • Anatomy
B 07
Spine Surgery Information Portal · Prof. Dr. Jürgen Harms · www.harms-spinesurgery.com
• Elements of the deep, autochthonous muscles of the back
· musculus erector spinae (4)
• Elements of the deep, autochthonous muscles of the back
· musculi semispinales (5)
· musculi rotatores thoracis (8)
· musculus spinalis (6)
· musculi intertransversarii (9)
· musculi multifidi (7)
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Harms · Klinikum Karlsbad-Langensteinbach · Guttmannstraße 1 · 76307 Karlsbad
© www.harms-spinesurgery.com 2007. All rights reserved.