12 Questions
Which muscle group is responsible for rotating the vertebrae during spinal movements?
Rotatores
Which muscle elevates the ribs during inspiration?
Levatores Costarum
Which muscle connects the skull to the thoracic spine?
Splenius Capitis
Which muscle stabilizes the vertebrae during spinal movements?
Intertransversarii
Which muscle group is responsible for extending the thoracic spine?
Semispinalis Thoracis
Which muscle group consists of 12 pairs of muscles, one on each side of the spine?
Rotatores
What is the function of the rotatores breves?
To rotate the vertebrae
Which muscles originate from the transverse processes of T7-T10?
Levatores Costarum
What is the insertion point of the Splenius Capitis muscle?
Mastoid process of the temporal bone
What is the function of the Semispinalis Thoracis muscle?
To extend and rotate the thoracic spine
What are the three columns of the Erector Spinae muscle group?
Iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis
What is the common function of the Transversospinalis muscle group?
To rotate and extend the spine
Study Notes
Intrinsic Back Muscles
Rotatores
- Small, deep muscles that rotate the vertebrae
- Located between the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
- Consist of 12 pairs of muscles, one on each side of the spine
- Functions:
- Rotate the vertebrae during spinal movements
- Assist in maintaining posture
Levatores Costarum
- Muscles that elevate the ribs
- Located in the thoracic region, arising from the transverse processes of the vertebrae
- Insert into the ribs
- Functions:
- Elevate the ribs during inspiration
- Assist in expanding the thoracic cavity
Splenius Capitis
- Large, fan-shaped muscle that connects the skull to the thoracic spine
- Arises from the spinous processes of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae
- Inserts into the mastoid process and occipital bone
- Functions:
- Rotate the head and neck
- Assist in extending the head and neck
Semispinalis Thoracis
- Muscle that connects the thoracic spine to the ribcage
- Arises from the transverse processes of the lower thoracic vertebrae
- Inserts into the spinous processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae
- Functions:
- Rotate the thoracic spine
- Assist in extending the thoracic spine
Intertransversarii
- Small, deep muscles that connect adjacent vertebrae
- Located between the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
- Functions:
- Stabilize the vertebrae during spinal movements
- Assist in maintaining posture
Intrinsic Back Muscles
- Rotatores:
- 12 pairs of small, deep muscles that rotate the vertebrae
- Located between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
- Functions: rotate vertebrae during spinal movements, maintain posture
Levatores Costarum
- Elevate ribs during inspiration
- Located in thoracic region, arising from transverse processes of vertebrae
- Insert into ribs
- Functions: elevate ribs, expand thoracic cavity
Splenius Capitis
- Large, fan-shaped muscle connecting skull to thoracic spine
- Arises from spinous processes of lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae
- Inserts into mastoid process and occipital bone
- Functions: rotate head and neck, extend head and neck
Semispinalis Thoracis
- Connects thoracic spine to ribcage
- Arises from transverse processes of lower thoracic vertebrae
- Inserts into spinous processes of upper thoracic vertebrae
- Functions: rotate thoracic spine, extend thoracic spine
Intertransversarii
- Small, deep muscles connecting adjacent vertebrae
- Located between transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae
- Functions: stabilize vertebrae during spinal movements, maintain posture
Intrinsic Back Muscles
- Rotatores:
- Composed of 12 pairs of muscles, each spanning one vertebra
- Function: rotate the vertebrae and assist in lateral flexion
- Divided into three subgroups: rotatores breves, rotatores longi, and rotatores thoracis
- Levatores Costarum:
- A group of four muscles in the thoracic region
- Function: elevate the ribs and assist in inspiration
- Origin: transverse processes of T7-T10
- Insertion: ribs 7-10
Neck and Upper Back Muscles
- Splenius Capitis:
- Function: rotate the head and neck, and assist in lateral flexion
- Origin: ligamentum nuchae and spinous process of C7-T3
- Insertion: mastoid process of the temporal bone
Thoracic Region Muscles
- Semispinalis Thoracis:
- Function: extend and rotate the thoracic spine
- Origin: transverse processes of T6-T10
- Insertion: spinous processes of T2-T6
Lower Back Muscles
- Erector Spinae:
- Function: extend and rotate the lumbar spine
- Composed of three columns: iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis
- Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, and spinous processes of L1-L5
- Insertion: ribs, thoracic vertebrae, and cervical vertebrae
Transversospinalis Muscles
- Function: rotate and extend the spine
- Composed of three subgroups: rotatores, semispinalis, and multifidus
- Origin: transverse processes of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae
- Insertion: spinous processes of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae
Learn about the rotatores and levatores costarum muscles, their functions, and locations in the human back.
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