Table Of ContentCheat Sheet (English Terminology)
Trunk Wall:
Muscle Charts
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Superficial (Extrinsic) muscles of back
Suboccipital
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
muscles
Rectus capitis Posterior tubercle of Medial part of inferior Atlantooccipital joint: Head
posterior minor atlas nuchal line extension
Rectus capitis Lateral part of inferior BBiillaatteerraall ccoonnttrraaccttiioonn --
Spinous process of axis
posterior major nuchal line AAttllaannttoooocccciippiittaall jjooiinntt:: HHeeaadd
eexxtteennssiioonn
Obliquus capitis Transverse process of UUnniillaatteerraall ccoonnttrraaccttiioonn --
Spinous process of axis
inferior atlas PPPPoooosssstttteeeerrrriiiioooorrrr rrrraaaammmmuuuussss ooooffff AAttllaannttooaaxxiiaall jjooiinntt:: HHeeaadd
ssssppppiiiinnnnaaaallll nnnneeeerrrrvvvveeee CCCC1111 rroottaattiioonn ((iippssiillaatteerraall))
((((ssssuuuubbbboooocccccccciiiippppiiiittttaaaallll nnnneeeerrrrvvvveeee))))
Bilateral contraction -
Atlantooccipital joint: Head
extension
Occipital bone (between
Obliquus capitis Transverse process of
superior and inferior
superior atlas Unilateral contraction -
nuchal lines)
Atlantoaxial joint: Head
rotation (contralateral), Head
lateral flexion (ipsilateral)
Superficial
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
layer
Descending part:
Scapulothoracic joint:
Descending part: Medial
Draws scapula
third of superior nuchal
superomedially;
line, External occipital
Atlantooccipital joint/
protuberance, Spinous Descending part: Lateral
upper cervical vertebrae:
processes of cervical third of clavicle
Motor: Extension of head and neck,
vertebrae/Nuchal
Accessory nerve (CN XI) Lateral flexion of head and
ligament Transverse part: Medial
neck (ipsilateral);
aspect of acromion,
Trapezius Sensory: Altantoaxial joint: Rotation
Transverse part: Broad Superior crest of spine of
Anterior rami of spinal of head (contralateral)
aponeurosis at spinous scapula
nerves C3-C4 (via cervical Transverse part:
processes of vertebrae
plexus) Scapulothoracic joint:
T1-T4 (or C7-T3) Ascending part: Medial
Draws scapula medially
end of spine of scapula
Ascending part:
Ascending part: Spinous
Scapulothoracic joint:
processes of vertebrae
Draws scapula
T5-T12 (or T2-T12)
inferomedially
(All parts support scapula)
Scapulothoracic joint:
Draws scapula
Medial border of scapula Anterior rami of spinal
Levator Transverse processes of superomedially, Rotates
(from superior angle to nerves C3-C4, Dorsal
scapulae vertebrae C1-C4 glenoid cavity inferiorly;
root of spine of scapula) scapular nerve (C5)
Cervical joints: Lateral
flexion of neck (ipsilateral)
Medial border of scapula
Rhomboid Spinous process of
(from inferior angle to SSccaappuullootthhoorraacciicc jjooiinntt::
major vertebrae T2-T5
root of spine of scapula) DDrraawwss ssccaappuullaa
DDoorrssaall ssccaappuullaarr nneerrvvee
ssuuppeerroommeeddiiaallllyy,, RRoottaatteess
((CC55))
Nuchal ligament, Spinous gglleennooiidd ccaavviittyy iinnffeerriioorrllyy;;
Rhomboid Root (medial end) of spine
processes of vertebrae SSuuppppoorrttss ppoossiittiioonn ooff ssccaappuullaa
minor of scapula
C7-T1
Vertebral part: Spinous
processes of vertebrae
T7-T12, Thoracolumbar
Shoulder joint: Arm internal
fascia
Intertubercular sulcus of Thoracodorsal nerve (C6- rotation, Arm adduction,
Latissimus dorsi Iliac part: Posterior third
humerus C8) Arm extension; Assists in
of crest of ilium
respiration
Costal part: Ribs 9-12
Scapular part: Inferior
angle of scapula
Intermediate
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
layer
Serratus Nuchal ligament, spinous
Superior borders of ribs 2nd-5th Intercostal
posterior processes of vertebrae Elevates ribs
2-5 nerves
superior C7-T3
Anterior rami of spinal
Serratus
Spinous processes of Inferior borders of ribs nerves T9-T12 (a.k.a. Depresses ribs/ Draws ribs
posterior
vertebrae T11-L2 9-12 9th-11th Intercostal inferoposteriorly
inferior
nerves + subcostal nerve)
Deep (Intrinsic) muscles of back
Superficial layer Origin Insertion Innervation Function
Bilateral contraction -
Lateral superior nuchal
Spinous processes of Lateral branches of Extends head/neck
line of occipital bone,
Splenius capitis vertebrae C7-T3, nuchal posterior rami of spinal Unilateral contraction -
Mastoid process of
ligament nerves C2-C3 Lateral flexion and rotation
temporal bone
of head (ipsilateral)
Bilateral contraction -
Lateral branches of Extends neck
Splenius Spinous processes of Transverse processes of
posterior rami of lower Unilateral contraction -
cervicis vertebrae T3-T6 vertebrae C1-C3
cervical spinal nerves Lateral flexion and rotation
of neck (ipsilateral)
IInntteerrmmeeddiiaattee
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
llaayyeerr
Iliocostalis cervicis: Angle of Iliocostalis cervicis:
ribs 3-6 Transverse processes of
vertebrae C4-C6
Iliocostalis thoracis: Angle of Iliocostalis thoracis:
Bilateral contraction -
ribs 7-12 Angles of ribs 1-6,
Extension of spine
Transverse process of
Iliocostalis vertebra C7
Unilateral contraction -
Lateral flexion of spine
Iliocostalis lumborum: Lateral Iliocostalis lumborum:
(ipsilateral)
crest of sacrum, Medial end of Angle of ribs 5-12,
iliac crest, Thoracolumbar Transverse processes of
fascia vertebrae L1-L4 (+
Adjacent thoracolumbar
fascia)
Longissimus capitis: Longissimus capitis:
Transverse processes of Mastoid process of
p Entire muscle:
u vertebrae C4-T5 temporal bone
o Bilateral contraction -
r
g
e Extension of spine
a Longissimus cervicis: Longissimus cervicis:
n LLLaaattteeerrraaalll bbbrrraaannnccchhheeesss ooofff Unilateral contraction -
i Transverse processes of Transverse processes of
p
s pppooosssttteeerrriiiooorrr rrraaammmiii ooofff Lateral flexion of spine
r vertebrae T1-T5 vertebrae C2-C6
o ssspppiiinnnaaalll nnneeerrrvvveeesss (ipsilateral)
t
c
e
r Longissimus thoracis: Longissimus thoracis:
E Longissimus capitis
Longissimus Lumbar part: Lumbar Lumbar part: Accessory
only:
intermuscular aponeurosis, and transverse processes
Bilateral contraction -
anteromedial aspect of ilium, of vertebrae L1-L5
Extension of head and
Posterior sacroiliac ligament
neck
Unilateral contraction -
Thoracic part: Spinous and Thoracic part:
Lateral flexion and
transverse processes of Transverse process of
rotation of head
vertebrae L1-L5, Median sacral vertebrae T1-T12, Angles
(ipsilateral)
crest, Posterior surface of of ribs 7-12
sacrum , Posterior iliac crest
Spinalis cervicis: Spinous Spinalis cervicis: Spinous Bilateral contraction -
processes of vertebrae C7-T1, processes of vertebrae Extension of cervical
Nuchal ligament C2-C4 and thoracic spine
Spinalis
Spinalis thoracis: Spinous Spinalis thoracis: Spinous Unilateral contraction -
processes of vertebrae T11-L2 processes of vertebrae Lateral flexion of
T2-T8 cervical and thoracic
spine (ipsilateral)
DDeeeepp llaayyeerr Origin Insertion Innervation Function
Semispinalis capitis: Bilateral contraction -
Semispinalis capitis: Articular Between superior and Semispinalis capitis: Extension of head,
processes of vertebrae C4-C7, inferior nuchal lines of Descending branches cervical and thoracic
Transverse processes of vertebrae occipital bone of greater occipital spine
T1-T6 nerve (C2) and spinal
Semispinalis cervicis: nerve C3 Unilateral contraction -
Semispinalis
Semispinalis cervicis: Transverse Spinous processes of Lateral flexion of head,
processes of vertebrae T1-T6 vertebrae C2-C5 Semispinalis cervicis/ cervical and thoracic
thoracis: Medial spine (ipsilateral),
Semispinalis thoracis: Transverse Semispinalis thoracis: branches of posterior Rotation of head,
processes of vertebrae T6-T10 Spinous processes of rami of spinal nerves cervical and thoracic
vertebrae C6-T4 spine (contralateral)
Multifidus cervicis: Superior
p
u articular processes of vertebrae
o
r
g C4-C7
s
e Bilateral contraction -
l
a
n Multifidus thoracis: Transverse Lateral aspect and Extension of spine
i
p
process of thoracic vertebrae tips of spinous
s
o
s Multifidus processes of Unilateral contraction -
r
e
v Multifidus lumborum: Mammillary vertebrae 2-5 levels Lateral flexion of spine
s
n processes of lumbar vertebrae, above origin (ipsilateral), Rotation of
a
r
T Posterior aspect of sacrum, spine (contralateral)
Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) MMeeddiiaall bbrraanncchheess ooff
of ilium, Posterior sacroiliac ppoosstteerriioorr rraammii ooff
ligament ssppiinnaall nneerrvveess
Rotatores breves:
Laminae/Spinous Bilateral contraction -
Rotatores breves: Transverse process of vertebra Extension of thoracic
Rotatores processes of vertebrae T2-T12 (1 level above origin) spine
breves and
longi Rotatores longi: Transverse Rotatores longi: Unilateral contraction -
processes of thoracic vertebrae Laminae/Spinous Rotation of thoracic
process of vertebra spine (contralateral)
(2 levels above origin)
Deepest layer Origin Insertion Innervation Function
Interspinales cervicis: Interspinales cervicis:
Superior aspect of Inferior aspect of spinous
processes of vertebrae
spinous processes of
C1-C6
vertebrae C2-C7
Interspinales thoracis: Interspinales thoracis:
Inferior aspect of spinous
Superior aspect of
processes of vertebrae T1,
spinous process of T10 & T11 Posterior rami of spinal Extension of cervical and
Interspinales
vertebrae T2, T11 & T12 nerves lumbar spine
(variable)
Interspinales Interspinales lumborum:
lumborum: Superior Inferior aspects of
aspects of spinous spinous processes of
vertebrae L1-L4
processes of vertebrae
L2-L5
Anterior/posterior Anterior/posterior Anterior cervical
cervical cervical intertransversarii:
intertransversarii: intertransversarii: Anterior and posterior
Superior border of Inferior border of rami of cervical spinal
transverse processes of transverse process of nerves
vertebrae C2-T1 superior adjacent cervical
vertebra
Medial lumbar
Assists in lateral flexion of
Intertransversarii intertransversarii: Medial lumbar
the spine; Stabilises spine
Accessory processes of intertransversarii: Lumbar
vertebrae L1-L4 Mammillary process of intertransversarii:
succeeding vertebra Anterior rami of lumbar
Lateral lumbar spinal nerves
intertransversarii: Lateral lumbar
Transverse and intertransversarii:
accessory processes of Transverse process of
vertebrae L1-L4 succeeding vertebra
Superior border/external
Levatores Transverse process of Posterior rami of spinal Elevation of ribs; Rotation
surface of rib (one level
costarum vertebrae C7-T11 nerves T1-T12 of thoracic spine
below origin)
Anterolateral muscles of trunk
Muscles of
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
thoracic cage
Clavicular head: anterior
surface of clavicle
Shoulder joint: Arm
(medial half)
adduction, Arm internal
rotation, Arm flexion
Sternocostal head:
(clavicular head), arm
Pectoralis Anterior surface of Crest of greater tubercle Lateral and medial
extension (sternocostal
major sternum, Costal of humerus (all heads) pectoral nerves (C5-T1)
head);
cartilages of ribs 1-6
Scapulothoracic joint:
Draws scapula
Abdominal (Rectus) head:
anteroinferiorly
Anterior layer of rectus
sheath
Scapulothoracic joint:
Medial border and
Pectoralis Anterior surface, Costal Medial pectoral nerve Draws scapula
coracoid process of
minor cartilages of ribs 3-5 (C8-T1) anteroinferiorly, stabilizes
scapula
scapula on thoracic wall
Muscles of
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
thoracic cage
Superior part: Anterior
and posterior surface of
Superior part: Ribs 1-2,
superior angle of scapula
Intercostal fascia Scapulothoracic joint:
Draws scapula
Middle part: Anterior
Serratus Middle part: Ribs-3-6 Long thoracic nerve anterolaterally, Suspends
surface of entire medial
anterior (C5-C7) scapula on thoracic wall,
border of scapula
Inferior part: Ribs Rotates scapula (draws
7-8/9/10 (+ external inferiorly angle laterally)
Inferior part: Anterior and
oblique muscle)
posterior surface of
inferior angle of scapula
Sternoclavicular joint:
Costal cartilage, Sternal Anteroinferior surface of Nerve to subclavius
Subclavius Anchors and depresses
end of rib 1 middle third of clavicle (C5-C6)
clavicle
Elevate ribs during forced
External inspiration; Supports
Inferior border of ribs
intercostals intercostal spaces and
thoracic cage
SSSuuupppeeerrriiiooorrr bbbooorrrdddeeerrr ooofff
Internal iiimmmmmmeeedddiiiaaattteee rrriiibbb bbbeeelllooowww
intercostals
CCoossttaall ggrroooovvee ooff rriibbss DDDeeeppprrreeesssssseeesss rrriiibbbsss ddduuurrriiinnnggg
Innermost IIIIInnnnnttttteeeeerrrrrcccccooooossssstttttaaaaalllll nnnnneeeeerrrrrvvvvveeeeesssss fffooorrrccceeeddd eeexxxpppiiirrraaatttiiiooonnn;;; SSSuuuppppppooorrrtttsss
intercostals iiinnnttteeerrrcccooossstttaaalll ssspppaaaccceeesss aaannnddd
ttthhhooorrraaaccciiiccc cccaaagggeee
Subcostal Internal surface of ribs Internal surface of rib
muscles (near angle of rib) (2-3 levels below origin)
Inferoposterior surface
Transversus Internal surface of costal
of body of sternum and Depresses costal cartilages
thoracis cartilages of ribs 2-6
xiphoid process
Sternal part: Posterior
aspect of xiphoid process
Costal part: Internal
surfaces of lower costal
cartilages and ribs 7-12 Phrenic nerves (C3-C5)
Depresses costal cartilages,
Respiratory Central tendon of (Sensory innervation of
Primary muscle of breathing
diaphragm Lumbar part: Medial and diaphragm peripheries via 6th-11th
(inspiration)
lateral arcuate ligaments intercostal nerves)
(lumbocostal arches),
Bodies of vertebrae L1-L3
(+ intervertebral discs),
Anterior longitudinal
ligament
Muscles of
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
abdominal wall
Bilateral contraction -
Trunk flexion, Compresses
abdominal viscera,
Intercostal nerves (T7-
External Linea alba, Pubic Expiration
External surfaces of ribs T11), Subcostal nerve
abdominal tubercle, Anterior half of
5-12 (T12), Iliohypogastric
oblique iliac crest Unilateral contraction -
nerve (L1)
Trunk lateral flexion
(ipsilateral), Trunk rotation
(contralateral)
Bilateral contraction -
Trunk flexion, Compresses
Intercostal nerves (T7- abdominal viscera,
Anterior two-thirds of Inferior borders of ribs
Internal T11), Subcostal nerve Expiration
iliac crest, Iliopectineal 10-12, Linea alba, Pubic
abdominal (T12), Iliohypogastric
arch, Thoracolumbar crest, Pecten pubis (via
oblique nerve (L1), Ilioinguinal Unilateral contraction -
fascia conjoint tendon)
nerve (L1) Trunk lateral flexion
(ipsilateral), Trunk rotation
(ipsilateral)
Lateral part: Lower edge
of internal abdominal
oblique and transversus
abdominis muscles, Genital branch of
Cremaster Middle of inguinal Tunica vaginalis of testis genitofemoral nerve Retraction of testis
ligament (L1, L2)
Medial part: Pubic
tubercle, Lateral part of
pubic crest
Internal surfaces of Bilateral contraction -
Linea alba, Aponeurosis Intercostal nerves (T7-
costal cartilages of ribs Compresses abdominal
of internal abdominal T11), Subcostal nerve
Transversus 7-12, Thoracolumbar viscera, Expiration
oblique muscle; Pubic (T12), Iliohypogastric
abdominis fascia, Anterior two
crest, Pectinal line of nerve (L1), Ilioinguinal
thirds of iliac crest, Unilateral contraction -
pubis nerve (L1)
Iliopectineal arch Trunk rotation (ipsilateral)
Trunk flexion, Compresses
Rectus Pubic symphysis, Pubic Xiphoid process, Costal Intercostal nerves (T7-T11),
abdominal viscera,
abdominis crest cartilages of ribs 5-7 Subcostal nerve (T12)
Expiration
Pubic crest, Pubic
Pyramidalis Linea alba Subcostal nerve (T12) Tenses linea alba
symphysis
Bilateral contraction -
Fixes Ribs 12 during
Inferior border of rib 12, Subcostal nerve (T12), inspiration, Trunk extension
Quadratus Iliac crest, Iliolumbar
Transverse processes of Anterior rami of spinal
lumborum ligament
vertebrae L1-L4 nerves L1-L4 Unilateral contraction -
Lateral flexion of trunk
(ipsilateral)
