Muscles, Vessels and Nerves of the Superficial Back Flashcards
What are the major anatomical landmarks of the back?
Medial border of the scapula, Posterior median furrow, Errector spinae, Trapezius and Rhomboids
What are the landmarks on the scapula?
Acromion, spine, medial border, inferior angle and root of spine
Where does the proximal portion of the trapezius attach?
Medial 1/3 on superior nuchal line, nuchal ligament, external occipital protuberance, spinous processes of C7-T12
Where does the distal portion of the trapezius attach?
Lateral 1/3 to the clavicle, acromion and spine of scapula
What innervates the trapezius?
Motor: Spinal Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Pain and proprioreception: C3, C4 nerves
What action does the trapezius perform?
Abduction of arm
What fibers of the trapezius perform what actions?
Ascending fibers: depress scapula
Descending fibers: elevate scapula
Middle fibers: retract fibers
Where does latissimus dorsi attach proximally?
Spinous processes T7-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inferior 3-4 ribs
Where does latissimus dorsi attach distally?
Floor intertubercular sulcus of humerus
What innervates latissimus dorsi?
Thoracodorsal nerve (C6, 7, 8)
What actions does the latissimus dorsi perform?
Extend, adduct, medially rotate humerus
Where does rhomboid minor attach proximally?
C7 and T1
Where does rhomboid minor attach distally?
Medial end of scapular spine
What innervates rhomboid minor?
Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5)
What action does the rhomboid minor perform?
Retract scapula, rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly; fix scapula to thoracic wall
Where does the rhomboid major attach proximally?
Spinous process T2-T5
Where does the rhomboid major attach distally?
Medial border of scapula from spine to inferior angle
Where innervates rhomboid major?
Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5)
What action does the rhomboid major perform?
Retract scapula, rotate glenoid cavity inferiorly; fix scapula to thoracic wall
Where does the levator scapulae attach proximally?
Transverse processes C1-C4
Where does the levator scapulae attach distally?
Medial border of scapula superior to the scapular spine
What innervates the levator scapulae?
Dorsal scapular nerve (C4, 5) and cervical nerves (C3, 4)
What action does the levator scapulae perform?
Elevates scapula
What is the triangle of auscultation?
The triangle on the back where lung sounds are best heard due to thinner muscle wall
What are the boundaries of the triangle of auscultation?
Superior/Medial: Trapezius
Inferior: Latissimus dorsi
Laterally: Medial border of the scapula
Anteriorly: 6-7th ribs; rhomboid major (posterior thorax wall)
What supplies the trapezius with blood?
Superficial transverse cervical artery
What supplies the latissimus dorsi with blood?
Thoracodorsal artery
What artery supplies the rhomboid muscles with blood?
Dorsal scapular artery
What artery supplies the levator scapulae with blood?
Dorsal scapular artery
