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Question 1

Splenius capitis and cervicis

Answer 1

Proximal: Nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7-T6.
Distal: Capitis: Mastoid process of temporal bone, lateral third of superior nuchal line of occipital bone.
Cervicis: Tubercles of transverse processes of C1-C3 or C4.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: alone: lateral flexion of neck and rotate head to side of active muscles. Together: extend head and neck.

Question 2

Iliocostalis, cervicis, thoracis, lumborum

Answer 2

Proximal attachment: Broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacro-iliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament.

Distal: Angles of lower ribs and cervical transverse processes.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Bilateral extension, unilateral flexion of vertebral column.

Question 3

Longissimus capitis and thoracis

Answer 3

Proximal: Broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacro-iliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament.

Distal: Ribs between tubercles and angles, transverse processes in thoracic and cervical regions, mastoid process of temporal bone.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Bilateral extension, unilateral flexion laterally.

Question 4

Spinalis cervicis, thoracis, capitis

Answer 4

Proximal: Broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacro-iliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament.

Distal: Spinous processes in upper thoracic region, and cranium.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Bilateral extension, unilateral flexion.

Question 5

Superficial layer
Intermediate layer
Deep layer

Answer 5

1. Splenius capitis and cervicis.
2. Erector spinae: Iliocostalis cervicis, thoracis and lumborum. Longissimus capitis and thoracis. Spinalis cervicis and thoracis.
3. Semispinalis, thoracis, cervicis and capitis. Multifidus. Rotatores, brevis, longus. Interspinales. Intertransversarii. Levatores costarum.

Question 6

Semispinalis capitis, cervicis, thoracis

Answer 6

Proximal: Transverse processes of C4-T12.

Distal: Occipital bone, spinous processes in thoracic and cervical regions, spanning 4-6 segments.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Extends head, cervical, and thoracic regions, also rotates them contralaterally.

Question 7

Multifidus thoracis, lumborum

Answer 7

Proximal: Posterior sacrum, posterior superior iliac spine, aponeurosis of erector spinae, sacro-iliac ligaments, mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae, transverse processes of T1-T3, articular processes of C4-C7.

Distal: Spinous processes 2-4 segments superior to proximal attachment.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Stabilizes vertebrae during local movements of vertebral column.

Question 8

Rotatores cervicis, thoracis: brevis & longus.

Answer 8

Proximal: Transverse processes of vertebrae, best developed in thoracic region.
Distal: Junction of lamina and transverse process or spinous process of vertebrae, immediately (brevis) or 2 segments superior to proximal attachment (longus).

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Stabilizes vertebrae and assist with local extension and rotary movements.

Question 9

Interspinalis cervicis and lumborum

Answer 9

Proximal: Superior surfaces of spinous processes of cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
Distal: Inferior surfaces of spinous processes of vertebra superior to vertebra of attachment.

Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Aid in extension and rotation of spinal column.

Question 10

Intertransversarii

Answer 10

Proximal: Transverse processes of cervical and lumbar vertebrae.
Distal: Transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Innervation: Posterior and anterior rami of spinal nerves.
Action: Aid in lateral flexion of vertebral column, when acting bilaterally, stabilizes vertebral column.

Question 11

Levatores costarum

Answer 11

Proximal: Tips of transverse processes of C7 and T1-T11.
Distal: Rib between tubercle and angle.

Innervation: Posterior rami of C8-T11.
Action: Elevate ribs, assists with respiration, assists with lateral flexion of vertebral column.

Question 12

Rectus capitis posterior major

Answer 12

Origin: Spinous process of C2.
Insertion: Lateral part of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone.

Question 13

Rectus capitis minor

Answer 13

Origin: Posterior tubercle of posterior arch of C1.
Insertion: Medial part of inferior nuchal line of occipital bone.

Question 14

Obliquus capitis inferior

Answer 14

Origin: Posterior tubercle of posterior arch of C2.
Insertion: Transverse process of C1.

Question 15

Obliquus capitis superior

Answer 15

Origin: Transverse process of C1.
Insertion: Occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines.

Question 16

Boundaries of suboccipital triangle

Answer 16

Superomedial: Rectus capitis posterior major.
Superolateral: Obliquus capitis superior.
Inferolateral: Obliquus capitis inferior.
Floor: Posterior atlanto-occipital membrane and posterior arch of C1.
Roof: Semispinalis capitis.
Contents: Vertebral artery and suboccipital nerve.