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
