Muscles, Vessels and Nerves of the Superficial Back

Question 1

What are the major anatomical landmarks of the back?

Answer 1

Medial border of the scapula, Posterior median furrow, Errector spinae, Trapezius and Rhomboids

Question 2

What are the landmarks on the scapula?

Answer 2

Acromion, spine, medial border, inferior angle and root of spine

Question 3

Where does the proximal portion of the trapezius attach?

Answer 3

Medial 1/3 on superior nuchal line, nuchal ligament, external occipital protuberance, spinous processes of C7-T12

Question 4

Where does the distal portion of the trapezius attach?

Answer 4

Lateral 1/3 to the clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula

Question 5

What innervates the trapezius?

Answer 5

Motor: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Pain and proprioreception: C3, C4 nerves

Question 6

What action does the trapezius perform?

Answer 6

Abduction of arm

Question 7

What fibers of the trapezius perform what actions?

Answer 7

Ascending fibers: depress scapula
Descending fibers: elevate scapula
Middle fibers: retract fibers

Question 8

Where does latissimus dorsi attach proximally?

Answer 8

Spinous processes T7-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs

Question 9

Where does latissimus dorsi attach distally?

Answer 9

Floor intertubercular sulcus of humerus

Question 10

What innervates latissimus dorsi?

Answer 10

Thoracodorsal nerve (C6, 7, 8)

Question 11

What actions does the latissimus dorsi perform?

Answer 11

Extend, adduct, medially rotate humerus

Question 12

Where does rhomboid minor attach proximally?

Answer 12

C7 and T1

Question 13

Where does rhomboid minor attach distally?

Answer 13

Medial end of scapular spine

Question 14

What innervates rhomboid minor?

Answer 14

Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5)

Question 15

What action does the rhomboid minor perform?

Answer 15

Retract scapula, rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly; fix scapula to thoracic wall

Question 16

Where does the rhomboid major attach proximally?

Answer 16

Spinous process T2-T5

Question 17

Where does the rhomboid major attach distally?

Answer 17

Medial border of scapula from spine to inferior angle

Question 18

Where innervates rhomboid major?

Answer 18

Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5)

Question 19

What action does the rhomboid major perform?

Answer 19

Retract scapula, rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly; fix scapula to thoracic wall

Question 20

Where does the levator scapulae attach proximally?

Answer 20

Transverse processes C1-C4

Question 21

Where does the levator scapulae attach distally?

Answer 21

Medial border of scapula superior to the scapular spine

Question 22

What innervates the levator scapulae?

Answer 22

Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5) and cervical nerves (C3, 4)

Question 23

What action does the levator scapulae perform?

Answer 23

Elevates scapula

Question 24

What is the triangle of auscultation?

Answer 24

The triangle on the back where lung sounds are best heard due to thinner muscle wall

Question 25

What are the boundaries of the triangle of auscultation?

Answer 25

Superior/Medial: Trapezius
Inferior: Latissimus dorsi
Laterally: Medial border of the scapula
Anteriorly: 6-7th ribs; rhomboid major (posterior thorax wall)

Question 26

What supplies the trapezius with blood?

Answer 26

Superficial transverse cervical artery

Question 27

What supplies the latissimus dorsi with blood?

Answer 27

Thoracodorsal artery

Question 28

What artery supplies the rhomboid muscles with blood?

Answer 28

Dorsal scapular artery

Question 29

What artery supplies the levator scapulae with blood?

Answer 29

Dorsal scapular artery