Vertebral Column Muscle Attachments

Question 1

Splenius capitis

Answer 1

Proximal:
Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7–T6 vertebrae

Distal:
Fibers run superolaterally to mastoid process of temporal bone and lateral third of superior nuchal line of occipital bone

Question 2

Splenius cervicis

Answer 2

Proximal:
Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7–T6 vertebrae

Distal:
Transverse processes of C1–C3 vertebrae

Question 3

Iliocostalis (erector spinae)

Answer 3

Proximal:
Arises by a broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament

Distal:
Lumborum, thoracis, cervicis; fibers run superiorly to angles of lower ribs and cervical transverse processes

Question 4

Longissimus (erector spinae)

Answer 4

Proximal:
Arises by a broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament

Distal:
Thoracis, cervicis, capitis; fibers run superiorly to ribs between tubercles and angles, to transverse processes in thoracic and cervical regions, and to mastoid processes of temporal bone

Question 5

Spinalis (erector spinae)

Answer 5

Proximal:
Arises by a broad tendon from posterior part of iliac crest, posterior surface of sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments, sacral and inferior lumbar spinous processes, and supraspinous ligament

Distal:
Thoracis, cervicis, capitis; fibers run superiorly to spinous processes in the upper thoracic region and to cranium

Question 6

Semispinalis (transversospinalis)

Answer 6

Proximal:
Transverse processes of C4–T12 vertebrae

Distal:
Thoracis, cervicis, capitis; fibers run superomedially to occipital bone and spinous processes in thoracic and cervical regions, spanning 4–6 segments

Question 7

Multifidus (transversospinalis)

Answer 7

Proximal:
Arises from posterior sacrum, PSIS of ilium, aponeurosis of erector spinae, sacroiliac ligaments, mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae, transverse processes of T1–T3, articular processes of C4–C7

Distal:
Thickest in lumbar region; fibers pass obliquely superomedially to entire length of spinous processes, spanning 2–4 segments

Question 8

Rotatores: brevis and longus (transversospinalis)

Answer 8

Proximal:
Arise from transverse processes of vertebrae; best developed in thoracic region

Distal:
Fibers pass superomedially to attach to spinous process of vertebra immediately (brevis) or 2 segments (longus) superior

Question 9

Interspinalis

Answer 9

Proximal:
Superior surfaces of spinous processes of cervical and lumbar vertebrae

Distal:
Inferior surface of spinous process of vertebra of proximal attachment

Question 10

Intertransversarii

Answer 10

Proximal:
Transverse processes of cervical and lumbar vertebrae

Distal:
Transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 11

Quadratus lumborum

Answer 11

Proximal:
Medial half of inferior border of 12th ribs and lumbar transverse processes

Distal:
Iliolumbar ligament and lip of iliac crest

Question 12

Trapezius

Answer 12

Proximal:
Medial third of superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance, nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7–T12 vertebrae

Distal:
Lateral third of clavicle, acromion, and spine of scapula

Question 13

Levator scapula

Answer 13

Proximal:
Transverse processes of C1–C4 vertebrae

Distal:
Superior aspect of medial border of the scapula

Question 14

Anterior scalene

Answer 14

Proximal:
Transverse processes of C3–C6 vertebrae

Distal:
1st rib

Question 15

Middle scalene

Answer 15

Proximal:
Transverse processes of C5–C7 vertebrae

Distal:
Superior surface of 1st rib

Question 16

Posterior scalene

Answer 16

Proximal:
Transverse processes of C5–C7 vertebrae

Distal:
External border of 2nd rib

Question 17

Sternocleidomastoid

Answer 17

Proximal:
Lateral surface of mastoid process of temporal bone and lateral half of superior nuchal line

Distal:
Sternal head: anterior surface of manubrium of sternum Clavicular head: superior surface of medial third of clavicle

Question 18

Rectus capitis posterior major (suboccipital muscles)

Answer 18

Proximal:
Spinous process of C2 vertebra

Distal:
Lateral aspect of inferior nuchal line

Question 19

Rectus capitis posterior minor (suboccipital muscles)

Answer 19

Proximal:
Posterior tubercle of posterior arch of C1 vertebra

Distal:
Medial aspect of inferior nuchal line

Question 20

Obliquus capitis inferior (suboccipital muscles)

Answer 20

Proximal:
Posterior tubercle of posterior arch of C2 vertebra

Distal:
Transverse process of C1 vertebra

Question 21

Obliquus capitis superior (suboccipital muscles)

Answer 21

Proximal:
Transverse process of C1 vertebra

Distal:
Occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines

Question 22

Rectus capitis anterior

Answer 22

Proximal:
Base of cranium, just anterior to occipital condyle

Distal:
Anterior surface of lateral mass of C1 vertebra

Question 23

Rectus capitis lateralis

Answer 23

Proximal:
Jugular process of occipital bone

Distal:
Transverse process of C1 vertebra

Question 24

Longus colli

Answer 24

Proximal:
Bodies of C1–C3 and transverse processes of C3–C6 vertebrae

Distal:
Bodies of C5–T3 vertebrae; transverse processes of C3–C5 vertebrae

Question 25

Longus capitis

Answer 25

Proximal:
Basilar part of occipital bone

Distal:
Transverse processes of C3–C6

Question 26

Rectus abdominis

Answer 26

Proximal:
Pubic symphysis and pubic crest

Distal:
Xyphoid process and 5th–7th costal cartilage

Question 27

Internal oblique

Answer 27

Proximal:
Thoracolumbar fascia, anterior 2/3 of iliac crest

Distal:
Inferior borders of 10th–12th ribs, linea alba

Question 28

External oblique

Answer 28

Proximal:
External surfaces of 5th–12th ribs

Distal:
Linea alba, pubic tubercle, and anterior half of iliac crest