| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Intrinsic back muscles | AKA "true" back muscles. Attached to vertebral column, cranium, ribs, and iliac crest. Function to move/stabilize vertebral column and head. Innervated by DORSAL rami of spinal nerves. |
| Extrinsic back muscles | Separated into two major functional groups. One moves and stabilizes upper limb and other assists in respiration. Innervated by VENTRAL rami of spinal nerves. |
| Erector spinae | Bilateral muscles group consisting of three muscle columns they are from medial to lateral—1. Spinalis 2. Longissimus 3. Iliocostalis. |
| Spinalis muscles | Most medial muscle of erector spinae group. Extends head and vertebral column (bilateral firing) or flexes vertebral column laterally (only one side fires). |
| Longissimus muscles | Inntermediate column of erector spinae group. Extends head and vertebral column (bilateral firing) or flexes vertebral column laterally (only one side fires). |
| Iliocostalis muscles | Most lateral column of erector spinae group. Extends head and vertebral column (bilateral firing) or flexes vertebral column laterally (only one side fires). |
| Splenius muscle | Intrinsic muscle of posterior neck. Can extend head (bilateral use) or laterally flex (unilateral). Found on lateral and posterior aspects of neck. |
| Semispinalis muscle | Found in deep layer of intrinsic back muscles. Extends head and thoracic/cervical vertebral column. |
| Suboccipital muscle | Bilateral muscles including rectus capitis major, rectus capitis minor, superior oblique capitus and inferior oblique capitus. Involved with fine head movements and posture. |
| Rectus capitis major and minor | Suboccipital muscles. |
| Superior and inferior capitus oblique | Suboccipital muscles. |
| Transversospinalis muscles | Small muscles of vertebral column attached to spinous and transverse processes and the lamina of vertebrae. Intrinsic back muscles that stablilze, extend and rotate column. |
| Suboccipital nerve | Formed from dorsal ramus of C1. Provides motor to suboccipital muscles. |
| Greater occipital nerve | Formed from dorsal ramus of C2. Provides cutaneous innervations to posterior scalp. |
| Vertebral arteries | Found deep in suboccipital region. Penetrate the atalanto-occipital membrane, go through foramen magnum and give blood to brain. |
Combine with other sets
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