Surface Anatomy of Back

Question 1

What are the osseous (bony) landmarks of the back?

Answer 1

-Spinous processes (C7-L5), sacrum
-Scapula orientation (medial border, spine, inferior angle
-Iliac crests: right across iliac crests toward the middle is an easy way to find L4 spinous process

Question 2

What would tenderness in the costovertebral angle area indicate?

Answer 2

Kidney pathology (kidney punch test)

Question 3

What are the muscular landmarks of the back?

Answer 3

-Head and neck: upper trap
-lower and mid trap
-spinae erector (vertical masses of muscle on each side of vertebral column)
-gluteal muscles

*palpate for tenderness and symmetry