Vertebral column: muscles of the back

Question 1

what are the 2 divisions of the extrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 1

superficial and intermediate extrinsic muscles

Question 2

what is the function of the superficial extrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 2

connect to appendicular skeleton

Question 3

what is the function of the intermediate extrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 3

secondary/superficial respiratory muscles

Question 4

what are the 5 superficial extrinsic muscles

Answer 4

trapezius
latissimus dorsi
rhomboid major 
rhomboid minor
levator scapulae

Question 5

what nerve innervates trapezius

Answer 5

spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

Question 6

describe the attachments of trapezius

Answer 6

very broad - starts at base of skull on medial 1/3 of superior nuchal line, continues down in cervical region along nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T12. Fibres then converge as they travel laterally to attach to lateral clavicle, acromium of scapula and longer attachment along length of spine of scapula

Question 7

what are the attachments of trapezius

Answer 7

medial 1/3 nuchal line, nuchal ligament, spinous processes C7-T12
–> lateral clavicle, acromium and spine of scapula

Question 8

what is the function of trapezius when it acts as a whole

Answer 8

rotate scapula so that the glenoid cavity will point more superiorly allowing a greater degree of abduction of upper limb

Question 9

what is another function of the trapezius

Answer 9

retract scapula (particularly the central fibres) pulling it closer to midline

Question 10

what nerve innervates the latissimus dorsi

Answer 10

thoracodorsal nerve (C6-8) from brachial plexus

Question 11

describe the attachments of latissimus dorsi

Answer 11

very broad - spinous processes of T7-T12, thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, lower 3/4 ribs
fibres then converge as they head to distal attachment - pass onto anterolateral aspect of humerus by passing medial to humerus then wrapping around in order to reach insertion point on bicipital groove of humerus

Question 12

what are the attachments of latissimus dorsi

Answer 12

spinous processes T7-T12
thoracolumbar fascia
iliac crest 
lower 3/4 ribs 
edge of bicipital groove of humerus

Question 13

what is the function of latissimus dorsi

Answer 13

powerful extensor of shoulder joint - important when e.g. climbing and pulling body weight upwards

Question 14

what are the attachments of rhomboid major

Answer 14

spinous processes of T2-5
–> medial border scapula
(angle inferiorly from vertebrae to scapula)

Question 15

what are the attachments of rhomboid minor

Answer 15

nuchal ligament
spinous processes C7,T1
–> medial end of spine of scapula

Question 16

what is the innervation of the rhomboids

Answer 16

dorsal scapular nerve (C4,5)

Question 17

what are the attachments of levator scapulae

Answer 17

posterior tubercles of transverse processes C1-4

–> medial border of scapula above spine

Question 18

what is the innervation of the levator scapulae

Answer 18

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

Question 19

what is the function of levator scapulae

Answer 19

raise scapula

Question 20

what is the function of the rhomboids

Answer 20

retract scapula pulling them closer to midline

Question 21

what is the nuchal ligament

Answer 21

very broad ligament connecting the base of the skull and the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae

Question 22

what are the 2 intermediate extrinsic back muscles

Answer 22

serratus posterior superior and inferior

Question 23

what are the attachments of serratus posterior superior

Answer 23

nuchal ligament
spinous processes C7-T3
superior borders ribs 2-4

Question 24

what is the nerve supply of serratus posterior superior

Answer 24

intercostal nerves 2-5

Question 25

what is the function of serratus posterior superior

Answer 25

assists in raising the upper ribs

Question 26

what are the attachments of serratus posterior inferior

Answer 26

spinous processes T11-L2 | inferior borders of ribs 8-12 near angle of ribs

Question 27

what is the nerve supply of serratus posterior inferior

Answer 27

anterior rami T9-T12

Question 28

what is the function of serratus posterior inferior

Answer 28

assists in lowering lower ribs

Question 29

are the serratus posterior muscles substantial

Answer 29

no - in many individuals are membranous and very thin

Question 30

what is the function of the deep muscles of the back

Answer 30

maintain posture and control movements of the vertebral column

Question 31

what are the divisions of the intrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 31

superficial intermediate deep

Question 32

what is the nerve supply of the intrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 32

posterior (dorsal) rami of spinal nerves

Question 33

what muscles make up the superficial intrinsic muscles

Answer 33

splenius muscles

Question 34

what muscles make up the intermediate intrinsic muscles

Answer 34

erector spinae muscles

Question 35

what muscles make up the deep intrinsic muscles

Answer 35

many small muscles

Question 36

the superficial intrinsic muscles are found only in the

Answer 36

cervical region

Question 37

the intermediate intrinsic muscles are found where

Answer 37

whole length of back

Question 38

true/false | deep intrinsic muscles of the back individually produce large movements

Answer 38

false - each individual muscle will not produce large movement but together they produce more dramatic movement

Question 39

what muscles make up the superficial intrinsic muscles

Answer 39

splenius muscles - splenius capitis and splenius cervicis

Question 40

what are the attachments of splenius capitis

Answer 40

nuchal ligament and spinous processes C7 - T3/4 | to mastoid process and lateral 1/3 of superior nuchal line

Question 41

what are the attachments of splenius cervicis

Answer 41

nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T3/4 to tubercles of transverse processes C1 to C3/4

Question 42

what is the common attachment of the splenius muscles

Answer 42

nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7 - T3/4

Question 43

what muscles make up the intermediate intrinsic back muscles

Answer 43

erector spinae muscles: - iliocostalis - longissimus - spinalis

Question 44

how are the erector spinae muscles arranged

Answer 44

in 3 columns from lateral to medial: iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis

Question 45

what is the common proximal attachment of the erector spinae muscles

Answer 45

- posterior iliac crest - posterior sacrum and sacroiliac ligaments - spinous processes of sacral and lower lumbar vertebrae - supraspinous ligament

Question 46

what are the 3 parts of iliocostalis

Answer 46

lumborum thoracis cervicis

Question 47

what are the attachments of iliocostalis

Answer 47

fibres travel up from common proximal attachment to angle of lower ribs and cervical transverse processes

Question 48

what are the 3 parts of longissimus

Answer 48

thoracis cervicis capitis

Question 49

what are the attachments of longissimus

Answer 49

common proximal attachment to - ribs between tubercles and angles - thoracic and cervical transverse processes - mastoid process

Question 50

what are the 3 parts of spinalis

Answer 50

thoracis cervicis capitis

Question 51

what are the attachments of spinalis

Answer 51

common proximal attachment to upper thoracic spinous processes and cranium

Question 52

describe spinalis

Answer 52

often poorly developed, quite small and right in beside spine

Question 53

what muscles make up the deep intrinsic muscles of the back

Answer 53

``` semispinalis multifidis rotatores levator costarum interspinale intertransversari ```

Question 54

what parts does semispinalis have

Answer 54

thoracis cervicis capitis parts

Question 55

what are the attachments of semispinalis

Answer 55

transverse processes C4-T12 to occipital bone and thoracic and cervical spinous processes

Question 56

where is multifidis thickest

Answer 56

lumbar region

Question 57

what are the attachments of multifidis

Answer 57

fibres pass superomedially to spinous processes 2-4 vertebrae above

Question 58

where is rotatores best developed

Answer 58

thoracic region

Question 59

what are the attachments of rotatores

Answer 59

fibres pass superomedially to junction of lamina and transverse process 1 or 2 vertebrae above

Question 60

what is the function of levator costarum

Answer 60

assist in raising ribs

Question 61

where is levator costarum found

Answer 61

thoracic region

Question 62

where do fibres of levator costarum run

Answer 62

from transverse process of vertebra down to upper border of rib

Question 63

where is interspinale most developed

Answer 63

cervical and lumbar regions

Question 64

where is interspinale found

Answer 64

between adjacent spinous processes

Question 65

where is intertransversari located

Answer 65

between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae

Question 66

where is intertransversari best developed

Answer 66

cervical and lumbar regions