L2: Neck, Back & Abdominal Muscles

Question 1

What are the Abdominal Muscles?
(in order from most superficial to deepest)

4

Answer 1

Rectus Abdominis
External Oblique
Internal Oblique
Transversus Abdominis

Question 2

Rectus Abdominis

Answer 2

O: Pubic symphysis and pubic crest
I: Xiphoid process and 5th–7th costal cartilages
F: Flexes trunk
NS: Thoracoabdominal and subcostal nerves

Question 3

External oblique

Answer 3

O: External surfaces of 5th–12th ribs
I: Linea alba, pubic tubercle, anterior 1/2 of iliac crest
F: Flex and Rotate trunk
NS: Thoracoabdominal and subcostal nerves

Question 4

Internal oblique:

Answer 4

O: Iliac Crest and Inguinal Ligament
I: Lower 3 Ribs
F: flex and rotate trunk
NS: Thoracoabdominal and subcostal nerves

Question 5

Transversus Abdominis

Answer 5

O: lower six ribs, iliac crest, and inguinal ligament
I: linea alba and the pubic crest
F: stability to the abdominal wall and assisting in compression of the abdominal contents.
NS: Thoracoabdominal and subcostal nerves

Question 6

What are the Muscles of the Thoracic Wall?
(from most superficial to deepest)

5

Answer 6

Serratus Posterior Superior
Serratus Posterior Inferior
External Intercostal Muscles
Internal Intercostal Muscles
Innermost Intercostal Muscles

Question 7

External Intercostal Muscles

Answer 7

O: Inferior border of ribs
I: Superior border of ribs below
F: During forced inspiration: elevates ribs
NS: Intercostal nerves

Question 8

Internal Intercostal Muscles

Answer 8

O: Inferior border of ribs
I: Superior border of ribs below
F: During forced expiration: depress ribs
NS: Intercostal nerves

Question 9

Innermost Intercostal Muscles

Answer 9

O: Inferior border of ribs
I: Superior border of ribs below
F: During forced expiration: depress ribs
NS: Intercostal nerves

Question 10

Serratus Posterior Superior

Answer 10

O: Nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7–T3
I: Superior borders of 2nd–4th ribs
F: Elevate ribs
NS: Intercostal nerves

Question 11

Serratus Posterior Inferior

Answer 11

O: Inferior borders of 8th–12th ribs
I: Spinous processes of T11–L2 vertebrae
F: Depresses ribs
NS: Intercostal nerves

Question 12

What are the Suboccipital Muscles?

Answer 12

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
Obliquus Capitis Superior
Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Question 13

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Answer 13

O: Spinous process of the axis (C2)
I: Inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
F: Primarily responsible for head extension.
NS: Suboccipital Nerve

Question 14

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor

Answer 14

O: Posterior tubercle of the atlas (C1)
I: Inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone
F: head extension and minor lateral flexion.
NS: Suboccipital Nerve

Question 15

Obliquus Capitis Superior

Answer 15

O: transverse process of the atlas (C1)
I: Occipital bone between the nuchal lines.
F: Lateral flexion and rotation of the head and neck.
NS: Suboccipital Nerve

Question 16

Obliquus Capitis Inferior

Answer 16

O: Spinous process of the axis (C2)
I: transverse process of the atlas (C1)
F: Rotation of the head and neck.
NS: Suboccipital Nerve

Question 17

Superficial Back Muscles

4

Answer 17

Trapezius
Latissimus Dorsi
Rhomboid Major
Rhomboid Minor

Question 18

Intermediate Back Muscles

1

Answer 18

Levator Scapulae:

Question 19

Deep Back Muscles
(Erector Spinae Group):

dont need to know specific attachments:

Answer 19

Iliocostalis Thoracis
Longissimus Thoracis
Spinalis Thoracis:

Question 20

Deepest back Muscles:
(transversospinales)

Answer 20

Multifidus
Rotatores (brevis and longus)

dont need to know attachments

Question 21

What are the Functions and Nerve Supply of the Erector Spinae Group?

Answer 21

Extends head and thoracic and cervical regions of vertebral column and rotates them contralaterally

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 22

Multifidus Function and Innervation:

Answer 22

Unilateral contraction rotates to contralateral side; stabilizes vertebrae during local movements of vertebral column

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 23

Rotatores (brevis and longus)
Function and Innervation:

Answer 23

Stabilize vertebrae and assist with local extension and rotatory movements of vertebral column

Posterior rami of spinal nerves

Question 24

What are Semispinalis Muscles?
(also deep muscles)

Answer 24

The semispinalis, as its name indicates, arises from approximately half of the vertebral column. It is divided into three parts according to the vertebral level of its superior attachments:

• Semispinalis Capitis,
• Semispinalis Cervicis
• Semispinalis Thoracis.

Question 25

Semispinalis Capitis:

Answer 25

O: transverse processes of upper thoracic vertebrae
I: occipital bone between the nuchal lines.
F: extension and rotation of the head and neck.
NS: Posterior Rami

Question 26

Semispinalis Cervicis:

Answer 26

O: multiple transverse processes vertebrae
I: spinous process of Axis
F: extending and rotating the neck.
NS: Posterior Rami

Question 27

Semispinalis Thoracis:

Answer 27

O + I: located in the thoracic region of the spine, originating on TP’s and inserting on SP’s
F: extending and rotating the thoracic spine
NS: Posterior Rami