The muscles of the back can be separated into three different groups.

The three different groups are: superficial, intermediate and deep. The superficial group of muscles are the ones that act on the upper limb. The intermediate group of muscles are the muscles of the thorax. The deep group of muscles are the muscles of the vertebral column. The superficial group of muscles contains five muscles: trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor and levator scapulae. The trapezius is shaped similar like the shape its name is similar to, the trapezoid. The function of the trapezius is to elevate, depress, rotate and retract the scapula. The insertion for the trapezius is lateral third of the clavicle; acromion and spine of the scapula. Next, the latissimus dorsi is a large muscle that is partially covered by the trapezius. Its functions are to extend the arm and to rotate the arm. The latissimus dorsi insertion is the floor of the intertubercular groove of the humerus. The rhomboid major is the larger of the two rhomboids and like its name it is similarly shaped like a rhombus. The rhomboid major retracts, elevates and rotates the scapula. Its insertion is medial border of the scapula inferior to the spine of the scapula. The rhomboid minor is the smaller rhomboid and is also shaped like a rhombus. Its function is the same as the rhomboid major and it retracts the scapula when trapezius is contracted. The rhomboid minor insertion is medial border of the scapula at the root of the spine of the scapula. The last muscle in the superficial group is the levator scapulae; it is located at the back and side of the neck. It is named after its function, which is to elevate the scapula. Its insertion is medial border of the scapula from the superior angle to the spine. The intermediate group contains two muscles which are serratus posterior superior and serratus posterior inferior. The serratus posterior superior is located at the upper and back part of the thorax. Its functions are to elevate the upper ribs and its insertion is ribs two through five,

lateral to the angles. The serratus posterior inferior is located at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar regions. Its functions are to pull down the lower ribs and assist in rotation and extension of the trunk and its insertion is ribs nine through twelve. The last group are the deep muscles. This group contains: splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis and semispinalis. The splenius capitis is named after its shape, splenius means strap and it is located at the back of the neck. The functions of the splenius capitis are extends and laterally bends the neck and head and also can allow lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical spine. Its insertion is mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone. Next is the splenius cervicis which is also named after its shape and its functions are also to extend the neck and head. It is inserted at the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes. The iliocostalis is immediately lateral to the longissimus and it extends and laterally bends the trunk, neck and head. It inserts at the ribs and the iliocostalis is made up of three parts which are iliocostalis lumborum, iliocostalis dorsi and iliocostalis cervicis. The longissimus is lateral to the semispinalis. It is also made up of three parts which are the longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis and longissimus capitis. Its functions is to flex the head and neck to the same side and its insertions are the transverse process. The spinalis is divided into three parts: spinalis dorsi, spinalis cervicis and spinalis capitis. It is located nearest to the spine and its functions are to extend and laterally bends trunk and neck. Its inserted at spinous processes and the base of the skull. Finally, the last muscle in the deep group is the semispinalis. The semispinalis is also made up of three parts which are semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis and semispinalis dorsi. The functions are to extend the trunk and laterally bends the trunk and rotate the trunk to the opposite side. The semispinalis capitis insertion is at the area between superior and inferior nuchal line. The semispinalis dorsi insertion is at spinous processes of the

upper four thoracic and lower two cervical vertebrae. The semispinalis cervicis insertion is at the cervical spinous processes.