Back Dissection Flashcards
Trapezius
Attachment (Proximal): Occipital bone, nuchal ligament, and spinous processes of lower cervical and all thoracic vertebrae
Attachment (Distal): Clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine
Innervation: CN XI (Accessory n.)
Action: Elevates (superior fibers), depresses (inferior fibers), and retracts (middle fibers) the scapula
Latissimus dorsi
Attachment: Spinous processes of lower thoracic vertebrae, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, and ribs
Attachment 2: Intertubercular sulcus of humerus
Innervation: Thoracodorsal n.
Action: Extends, adducts and medially rotates the arm
Levator scapulae
Attachment: Transverse processes of cervical vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Medial border of scapula
Innervation: Dorsal scapular n.
Action: Elevates the scapula
Rhomboid minor
Attachment: Spinous processes of lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae and nuchal ligament
Distal Attachment: Medial boarder of scapular near the scapular spine
Innervation: Dorsal scapular n.
Action: Retracts the scapula; holds scapula to thoracic wall
Rhomboid major
Attachment: Spinous processes of upper thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Medial border of scapula from the level of the scapular spine to inferior angle
Innervation: Dorsal scapular n.
Action: Retracts the scapula; holds scapula to thoracic wall
Serratus posterior superior
Attachment: Spinous processes of lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Superior border of upper ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nn.
Action: Elevate ribs; proprioception
Serratus posterior inferior
Attachment: Spinous processes of lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae
Distal Attachment: inferior border of lower ribs
Innervation: Intercostal nn.
Action: Depresses ribs; proprioception
Splenius capitis
Attachment: Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of upper thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Occipital bone and mastoid process
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: Laterally flexes neck; rotates head to same side. Bilateral activation: extends head and neck
Splenius cervicis
Attachment: Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of mid/upper thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Transverse processes of upper cervical vertebrae
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: Laterally flexes neck; rotates head to same side. Bilateral activation: extends head and neck
Iliocostalis
Attachment: Broad tendon arising from posterior region of the sacrum
Distal Attachment: Ribs
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: As a group
(erector spinae): Extend the vertebral column and head (bilateral); laterally flex vertebral column (unilateral)
Longissimus
Attachment: Broad tendon arising from posterior region of the sacrum and iliac crest
Distal Attachment: Ribs, transverse processes, mastoid process
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: As a group
(erector spinae): Extend the vertebral column and head (bilateral); laterally flex vertebral column (unilateral)
Spinalis
Attachment: Spinous processes
Distal Attachment: Spinous processes
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: As a group
(erector spinae): Extend the vertebral column and head (bilateral); laterally flex vertebral column (unilateral)
Semispinalis capitis
Attachment: Transverse processes of cervical and thoracic vertebrae
Distal Attachment: Occipital bone
Innervation: Posterior rami of spinal nerves
Action: Extends the head and upper spine (bilateral); rotates head to opposite side (unilateral)
Rectus capitis posterior major
Attachment: Spinous process of C2
Distal Attachment: Occipital bone
Innervation: Suboccipital n.
Action: Extends neck, rotates head to same side
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Attachment: Posterior arch of C1
Distal Attachment: Occipital bone
Innervation: Suboccipital n.
Action: Extends neck, rotates head to same side
Obliquus capitis inferior
Attachment: Posterior arch of C2
Distal Attachment: Transverse process of C1
Innervation: Suboccipital n.
Action: Rotates atlanto‐occipital joint
Obliquus capitis superior
Attachment: Transverse process of C1
Distal Attachment: Occipital bone
Innervation: Suboccipital n.
Action: Extends and laterally flexes neck
Greater occipital nerve
Course and Function: passes through the semispinalis capitis and the suboccipital triangle; supplies sensory innervation to skin on the back of the head
Vertebral artery
Course and Function: passes through the transverse foramen of C1 and all the way through to C6-ish where it meets the subclavian artery
Cervical enlargement
Course and Function: C5 to T1, provides nerves to the upper limbs
Lumbar Enlargement
Course and Function: L1 to S3, provides nerves to the lower limb
Conus Medullaris
End of spinal cord b/t L1 and L2
Cauda equina
collection of ventral and dorsal roots in the lower vertebral canal
filum terminale
continuous with the pia mater; arises from the inferior tip of the conus medullaris and ends at S2, where it is encircled by the lower end of the dural sac
ligamenta flava
connect the laminae of adjacent vertebrae
