Muscles of the Back

Superficial Extrinsic Back Muscles

Muscle Nerve Action Origin Insertion
Trapezius Accessory Nerve (CN Bilaterally: Extends head and neck Superior nuchal line, external Lateral 1/3 of the
XI) and ventral ramus Unilaterally: Laterally flexes to same occipital protuberance, clavicle, acromion and
C2,3,4 side, rotates to opposite side, elevates & ligamentum nuchae, spinous spine of the scapula
upwardly rotates scapula processes of C7-T12 (SAC)
Middle fibers: Adducts & stabilizes
scapula
Lower fibers: Depresses & upwardly
rotates scapula
Latissimus Dorsi Thoracodorsal Nerve Extends, adducts and internally rotates the Inferior angle of scapula, Intertubercular groove of
C6,7,8 shoulder spinous processes of last 6 the humerus
thoracic vertebrae, last 3-4
ribs, thoracoloumbar fascia,
and posterior iliac crast

Levator Scapulae C3 & C4 nerve roots Unilaterally: Elevates and downwardly Transverse processes of C1- Medial border of scapula
Dorsal scapular nerve rotates the scapula. Laterally flexes the C4 between superior angle
C4,5 head and neck and rotates head to the and superior portion of
same side spine of scapula
Bilaterally: Extends head and neck
Rhomboid Major Dorsal Scapular Nerve Adducts, elevates & downwardly rotates Minor: Spinous processes of Minor: Upper portion of
C4,5 scapula C7-T1 and nuchal ligament medial border of scapula
& Minor
Major: Spinous processes of
T2-T5 Major: Medial border of
the scapula between
spine of scap and inf.
angle
 Intermediate Extrinsic Back Muscles
Muscle Nerve Action Origin Insertion
Serratus Posterior T1,2,3,4 Elevate ribs during Spinous processes C7- Posterior surface of ribs 2-5
inhalation T3
Superior
Serratus Posterior T 9,10,11,12 Depress ribs during Spinous processes T Posterior surface ribs 9-12
exhalation 12-L3
Inferior

Superficial Intrinsic Back Muscles

Muscle Nerve Action Origin Insertion
Splenius Capitis Cervical Rami Unilaterally: Rotates head Capitis: Spinous Capitis: mastoid process and lateral
and neck to same side and Processes C7-T4 and portion of superior nuchal line
laterally flexes head and inferior 1/3 of
neck ligamentum nuchae

Cervicis: transverse processes of C1-C3

Splenius Cervicis Cervical Rami Bilaterally: Extends head Cervicis: Spinous
and neck Processes T3-T6
 Intermediate Intrinsic Back Muscles (Erector Spinae)
Muscle Nerve Action Origin Insertion
Dorsal Rami Unilaterally: Laterally 1. Common tendon and 1. Transverse processes of lumbar
flexes vertebra column to posterior surface of ribs 1- vertebrae 1-3 and posterior surface ribs
1) Iliocostalis same side 12 1-12, posterior surface of ribs 1-6, and
(lateral) transverse processes of lower cervicals
Bilaterially: Extends
vertebral column 2. Common tendon and 2. Lower 9 ribs and transverse
2) Longissimus transverse processes of processes of thoracic vertebrae,
upper 5 thoracic vertebrae transverse processes of cervical
(intermediate) vertebrae, and mastoid process of
3. Spinous processes of temporal bone
upper lumbar and lower
3)Spinalis thoracic vertebrae, 3. Spinous processes of upper thoracic
(medial) ligamentum nuchae, and and cervical vertebrae (except for C1)
spinous processes of C7

Deep Intrinsic Back Muscles

Muscle Nerve Action Origin Insertion
Semispinalis: Cervical Rami Extends vertebral column Transverse processes of C4- Between Superior and Inferior nuchal
and head T5 lines of occiput
broken into thoracis,
cervicis and capititis
Multifidus (thickest Dorsal Rami Unilaterally: Rotates Sacrum & transverse Spinous processes of the vertebrae 2-4
vertebral column to opposite processes of lumbar through segments above its origin
in lumbar region)
side cervical vertebrae
Bilaterally: Extends the
vertebral column

Rotatores (thickest in Dorsal Rami Unilaterally: Rotates Transverse processes of Spinous processes of the vertebrae 1-2
vertebral column to opposite lumbar to cervical vertebrae segments above its origin
thoracic region)
side
Bilaterally: Extends the
vertebral column