Intrinsic Back Muscles and Suboccipital Region

Question 1

What are the purposeful activities of the SPLENIUS CAPITIS and SPLENIUS CERVICIS?

Answer 1

social interaction and driving

Question 2

What are the muscle actions of the SPLENIUS CAPITIS and SPLENIUS CERVICIS?

Answer 2

Unilaterally:
Neck lateral flexion
Head ipsilateral rotation

Bilaterally:
Head/neck extension

Question 3

Where are the proximal attachments of the SPLENIUS CAPITIS and SPLENIUS CERVICIS?

Answer 3

ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes of C7-T6

Question 4

Where are the distal attachments of the SPLENIUS CAPITIS?

Answer 4

mastoid process, superior nuchal line (fibers run superolaterally)

Question 5

Where are the distal attachments of the SPLENIUS CERVICIS?

Answer 5

Transverse process C1-C4

Question 6

What nerves innervate the SPLENIUS CAPITIS and SPLENIUS CERVICIS?

Answer 6

posterior (dorsal) rami of spinal nerves

Question 7

What are the muscles of the superficial layer of the deep back?

Answer 7

Splenius Capitis and Splenius Cervicis

Question 8

What are the intermediate muscles of the deep back?

Answer 8

Erector Spinae Group which is composed of the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis.

Question 9

What are the purposeful activities of the ERECTOR SPINAE?

Answer 9

maintaining an upright posture for ADLs (activities of daily living)/IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living)

Question 10

What are the muscle actions of the ERECTOR SPINAE?

Answer 10

Unilaterally:
Vertebral column ipsilateral lateral flexion

Bilaterally:
Vertebral column extension

Question 11

Where are the proximal attachments of the ERECTOR SPINAE?

Answer 11

common tendon (thoracolumbar fascia) that attaches to the:
- posterior surface of sacrum
-iliac crest
- spinous processes of lumbar and last two thoracic vertebrae

Question 12

Where are the distal attachments of the ILIOCOSTALIS?

Answer 12

lower rib angles and cervical TP

Question 13

Where are the distal attachments of the LONGISSIMUS?

Answer 13

between rib tubercles and angles to thoracic TP

Question 14

Where are the distal attachments of the SPINALIS?

Answer 14

upper thoracic SP and to cranium

Question 15

What nerves innervate the ERECTOR SPINAE?

Answer 15

posterior (dorsal) rami of spinal nerves

Question 16

What are the muscles of the deep major layer called together?

Answer 16

transversospinalis group

Question 17

What are the 3 muscles of the transversospinalis group?

Answer 17

multifidus, rotatores, semispinalis

Question 18

What are the purposeful activities of the ROTATORES BREVIS and LONGUS?

Answer 18

Tai chi or yoga (deep postural stability)

Question 19

What are the muscle actions of the ROTATORES BREVIS and LONGUS?

Answer 19

Unilaterally:
Vertebral column contralateral rotation

Bilaterally:
Vertebral column local extension, may function as organs of proprioception

Question 20

Where are the inferior attachments of the ROTATORES?

Answer 20

TP of vertebrae (best developed in thoracic region)

Question 21

Where are the superior attachments of the ROTATORES?

Answer 21

SP of lumbar vertebrae through second cervical vertebrae

Span 1-2 segments
-Brevis = 1
-Longus = 2

Question 22

What are the purposeful activities of the multifidus?

Answer 22

Tai chi or yoga (deep postural stability)

Question 22

What nerves innervate the ROTATORES?

Answer 22

Dorsal rami of spinal nerves

Question 23

What are the muscle actions of the MULTIFIDUS?

Answer 23

Unilaterally:
Vertebral column contralateral rotation

Bilaterally:
Vertebral column local extension, Stabilizes vertebrae during local movements of vertebral column

Question 24

Where are the inferior attachments of the MULTIFIDUS?

Answer 24

arises from: -posterior sacrum -PSIS (posterior superior iliac spine) -aponeurosis of erector spinae -SI ligaments (sacroiliac) -mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae -TP T1-T3 -articular processes of C4-C7

Question 25

Where are the superior attachments of the MULTIFIDUS?

Answer 25

entire length of SP, span 2-4 segments (thickest in lumbar region, fibers pass obliquely superomedially)

Question 26

What nerves innervate the MULTIFIDI?

Answer 26

dorsal rami of spinal nerves

Question 27

What are the purposeful activities of the SEMISPINALIS CAPITIS?

Answer 27

Using a computer workstation, looking overhead

Question 28

What are the muscle actions of the SEMISPINALIS CAPITIS?

Answer 28

Head/neck/thoracic spine extension, head/neck/thoracic spine contralateral rotation

Question 29

Where are the inferior attachments of the SEMISPINALIS?

Answer 29

TP of C4-T12

Question 30

Where are the superior attachments of the SEMISPINALIS?

Answer 30

Occipital bone, SP in thoracic and cervical regions, span 4-6 segments (fibers run superomedially)

Question 31

What nerves innervate the SEMISPINALIS?

Answer 31

cervical dorsal rami of spinal cervical nerves

Question 32

What are the 4 muscles of the suboccipital region?

Answer 32

Rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, obliquus capitis inferior, obliquus capitis superior

Question 33

Where is the origin (proximal attachment) of the RECTUS CAPITIS POSTERIOR MAJOR?

Answer 33

SP of C2 (axis)

Question 34

Where is the origin (proximal attachment) of the RECTUS CAPITIS POSTERIOR MINOR?

Answer 34

Posterior tubercle of C1

Question 35

Where is the origin (proximal attachment) of the OBLIQUUS CAPITIS INFERIOR?

Answer 35

SP or posterior tubercle of C2 (axis)

Question 36

Where is the origin (proximal attachment) of the OBLIQUUS CAPITIS SUPERIOR?

Answer 36

TP of C1

Question 37

Where is the insertion (distal attachment) of the RECTUS CAPITIS POSTERIOR MINOR?

Answer 37

medial inferior nuchal line

Question 38

Where is the insertion (distal attachment) of the RECTUS CAPITIS POSTERIOR MAJOR?

Answer 38

lateral inferior nuchal line

Question 39

Where is the insertion (distal attachment) of the OBLIQUUS CAPITIS INFERIOR?

Answer 39

TP of C1

Question 40

Where is the insertion (distal attachment) of the OBLIQUUS CAPITIS SUPERIOR?

Answer 40

Occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines

Question 41

What nerve innervates all the suboccipital muscles?

Answer 41

suboccipital nerve (dorsal ramus of C1)

Question 42

What are the muscle actions of the RCPminor, RCPmajor, and OCs?

Answer 42

rock and tilt head back into extension

Question 43

What are the muscle actions of the RCPmajor/minor and OCi?

Answer 43

head ipsilateral rotation

Question 44

What are the muscle actions of the OCs?

Answer 44

head ipsilateral lateral flexion

Question 45

What are the purposeful activties of the suboccipitals?

Answer 45

scanning a computer monitor and reading a book