Erector Spinae Group
This largest “column” muscle group runs vertically along the spine and is the chief extensor of the vertebral column.
What is the erector spinae group?
This muscle group lies deep to erector spinae and spans transverse to spinous processes; includes semispinalis, multifidus, rotatores.
What is the transversospinalis group?
This vertical muscle runs from the pubis to the xiphoid process and ribs, flexing the spine and compressing the abdomen.
What is the rectus abdominis?
This dome-shaped muscle is the primary muscle of inspiration, separating thorax and abdomen.
What is the diaphragm?
These very small muscles connect adjacent transverse processes of vertebrae and assist in lateral flexion of the spine.
What are the intertransversarii?
One of the three columns in that group which lies most laterally and attaches to ribs and costal processes.
What is the iliocostalis?
A deep muscle of the posterior neck region that helps extend and rotate the head; part of the suboccipital group.
What is the obliquus capitis superior (or inferior)?
This deep abdominal muscle wraps horizontally around the trunk and acts like a corset—compresses abdomen and stabilises spine.
What is the transverse abdominis?
These muscles lie between ribs and assist in elevating the ribs during inhalation.
What are the external intercostals?
These small muscles lie between adjacent spinous processes and assist with extension and segmental stability of the spine.
What are the interspinales?
The middle column of the erector spinae group that runs upward and attaches to ribs and transverse processes of vertebrae.
What is the longissimus?
This muscle in the back of the neck (named for “half-spine”) helps extend the head and neck and rotate to the opposite side.
What is the semispinalis capitis?
This muscle group lies just superficial to the transverse abdominis, its fibres run obliquely upward and medially.
What are the internal obliques?
These muscles lie between ribs and assist in forced exhalation by pulling ribs downward.
What are the internal intercostals?
This muscle originates from the 12th rib and iliac crest and helps stabilize the lumbar spine and pelvis.
What is the quadratus lumborum?
The most medial column of the erector spinae group, closest to the spinous processes
What is the spinalis?
This slender muscle lies between the transverse and spinous processes of vertebrae and helps with extension and rotation of the vertebral column.
What are the rotatores?
This muscle group lies superficial to the internal obliques, fibres run obliquely downward and medially, used for trunk rotation to the opposite side.
What are the external obliques?
This muscle lies posteriorly along the upper ribs, helps elevate ribs and expand thorax during inhalation.
What is the serratus posterior superior?
This muscle group includes the long and short heads, lies deep under other neck muscles, and attaches from occiput to C1/C2; assists head extension & small adjustments.
What are the suboccipital muscles?
This fascia is the broad connective tissue sheet that the erector spinae group (and many other posterior trunk muscles) uses as an origin.
What is the thoracolumbar fascia?
This muscle attaches from the spinous process of C7 and upper thoracic vertebrae to the skull and is involved in head extension and rotation.
What is the splenius capitis?
This muscle lies between the 12th rib and iliac crest and helps laterally flex the vertebral column and fix the 12th rib during respiration.
What is the quadratus lumborum?
This muscle lies posteriorly along the lower ribs, helping depress ribs and assist in exhalation, especially forced.
What is the serratus posterior inferior?
These muscles form a group of intrinsic back muscles that lie between the spinous and transverse processes and assist with rotation and extension; one member includes the multifidus.
What is the transversospinalis group?