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Extrinsic group, superficial group

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Trapezius Spinal Transverse Origin: external occipital protuberance Rotate the scapula for
accessory n. cervical a. & occipital bone, ligamentum nuchae abduction of upper limb,
and spinous processes of the C7 and elevate the shoulder
T1-12 vertebrae girdle and brace it when a
Insertion: superior fibres – lateral 1/3 weight is being carried by
of clavicle. Middle fibres – medial the limb, retract the
acromion and posterior scapula spine. shoulder, depress the
Inferior fibres – end in aponeurosis scapula and adduct it so
inserted into scapula spine the head can go back

Latissimus Thoracodorsal Thoracodorsal Origin: aponeurosis of the Extends, adducts and

dorsi n. a. thoracolumbar fascia, spinous medially rotates the
processes of lower 6 thoracic humerus
vertebrae, caudal-most 3 or 4 ribs and
iliac crest (sometimes)
Insertion: intertubercular groove of
the humerus

Rhomboid Dorsal Dorsal Origin: spinous processes of the T2-5 Retract the scapula, rotate
major scapular n. scapular a. vertebrae it to depress the glenoid
Insertion: blends with fibres of cavity and fix the scapula
rhomboid minor and attaches to to the thoracic wall
medial border of the scapula
 Rhomboid Dorsal Dorsal Origin: ligamentum nuchae and the Retract the scapula, rotate
minor scapular n. scapular a. spinous processes of the C7 and T1 it to depress the glenoid
vertebrae cavity and fix the scapula
Insertion: blends with fibres of the to the thoracic wall
rhomboid major and attaches to the
medial border of the scapula

Levator C3-5 Dorsal Origin: transverse processes of C1-4 Elevates the superior
scapulae branches, scapular a. Insertion: superior portion of the angle of the scapula and
dorsal medial border of the scapula draws it medially and
scapular n. rotates the scapula. Also
bends the neck laterally
and rotates it slightly
towards the same side
when the scapula is held
in a fixed position

Extrinsic group, intermediate group

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Serratus Ventral rami of Posterior Origin: ligamentum Elevates the ribs

posterior T1-4 spinal nn. intercostal nuchae and spinous
superior aa. 1-4 processes of C7-T3
vertebrae
Insertion: 2nd-5th ribs via
fleshy digitations
 Serratus Ventral rami of Lowest Origin: spinous Pulls the ribs out and
posterior inferior T9-12 spinal nn. posterior processes of the T11-L2 down, counteracting the
intercostal vertebrae inward pull of the
a., subcostal Insertion: inferior diaphragm
a., first 2 borders of last 4 ribs
lumbar a.

Intrinsic group, superficial layer

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Splenius Dorsal rami Deep cervical Origin: (blended with splenius Capitus and cervicus
capitis of the middle a., posterior cervicus) arise from ligamentum muscles extend the head
cervical intercostal nuchae and spinous processes of and neck and unilaterally
spinal nn. aa. C7-T6 vertebrae they laterally bend the
Insertion: mastoid processes of head and neck to the side
the temporal bone and the of contraction
occipital bone

Splenius Dorsal rami Deep cervical Origin: (blended with splenius Capitus and cervicus
cervicis of lower a., posterior cervicus) arise from ligamentum muscles extend the head
cervical intercostal nuchae and spinous processes of and neck and unilaterally
spinal nn. aa. C7-T6 vertebrae they laterally bend the
Insertion: posterior tubercles of head and neck to the side
the transverse processes of the of contraction
C1-3 vertebrae
Intrinsic group, intermediate layer (Erector Spinae)
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Iliocostalis Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, Erector spinae muscles
respective a., posterior transverse and spinous processes extend the vertebral
spinal nn. in intercostal aa., of vertebrae and supraspinous column and head (large
each region subcostal aa., ligament function in maintaining
lumbar aa. Insertion: angles of lower ribs and posture) and unilaterally
the cervical transverse processes they bend the vertebral
column laterally

Longissimus Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, Erector spinae muscles
respective a., posterior transverse and spinous processes extend the vertebral
spinal nn. in intercostal aa., of vertebrae and supraspinous column and head (large
each region subcostal aa., ligament function in maintaining
lumbar aa. Insertion: ribs (between the posture) and unilaterally
tubercles and angles), transverse they bend the vertebral
process of thoracic and cervical column laterally
vertebrae and the mastoid process
of the temporal bone

Spinalis Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, Erector spinae muscles
respective a., posterior transverse and spinous processes extend the vertebral
spinal nn. in intercostal aa., of vertebrae and supraspinous column and head (large
each region subcostal aa., ligament function in maintaining
lumbar aa. Insertion: spinous processes of the posture) and unilaterally
upper thoracic region and they bend the vertebral
midcervical region and to the skull column laterally
Intrinsic group, deep layer (Transversospinalis group)
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Semispinalis Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: capitis – posterior Extends the trunk, laterally
(capitis, spinal nn. a., posterior skull. Cervicis and bends the trunk and rotates
cervicis and intercostal aa., thoracis – spinous the trunk
thoracis) subcostal aa., processes of C7-T12
lumbar aa. vertebrae

Multifidus Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: sacrum and Extends the trunk, laterally
spinal nn. a., posterior transverse processes of bends the trunk and rotates
intercostal aa., C3-L5 vertebrae the trunk
subcostal aa., Insertion: spinous
lumbar aa. processes 2-4 levels
above their origin

Rotatores Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: transverse Rotates the vertebral column
spinal nn. a., posterior processes of vertebrae
intercostal aa., Insertion: long rotatores –
subcostal aa., vertebral spines 2 above
lumbar aa. origin. Short rotatores –
vertebral spines 1 above
origin
Segmental muscles
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Levatores Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: transverse process Elevates the ribs
costarum spinal nn. a., intercostal of C7-T11 vertebrae
aa. Insertion: rib below its
vertebral origin

Interspinales Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: upper border of Extend trunk and neck
spinal nn. a., posterior spinous process
intercostal aa., Insertion: lower border of
subcostal aa., spinous process above
lumbar aa.

Intertransversarii Dorsal rami of Deep cervical Origin: upper border of Laterally bend trunk and
spinal nn. a., posterior transverse process neck
intercostal aa., Insertion: lower border of
subcostal aa., transverse process above
lumbar aa.