2
MuscleTables
Table2-1
MuscleTables
MUSCLE
PROXIMAL
ATTACHMENT
(ORIGIN)
DISTAL
ATTACHMENT
(INSERTION)
INNERVATION
MAIN ACTIONS
BLOOD SUPPLY
MUSCLE
GROUP
Erector spinae
Posterior sacrum,
iliac crest,
sacrospinous
ligament,
supraspinous
ligament,
spinous
processes of
lower lumbar
and sacral
vertebrae
Iliocostalis:
angles of
lower ribs, cervical
transverse
processes
Longissimus:
between
tubercles and angles
of ribs, transverse
processes of
thoracic and cervical
vertebrae, mastoid
process
Spinalis:
spinous
processes of upper
thoracic and
midcervical
vertebrae
Dorsal rami of
each region
Extends and
laterally bends
vertebral
column and
head
Cervical portions:
occipital,
deep cervical, and
vertebral arteries
Thoracic portions:
dorsal
branches of posterior
intercostal, subcostal,
and lumbar arteries
Sacral portions:
dorsal
branches of lateral
sacral arteries
Sacrospinalis
Interspinales
(cervical,
thoracic,
lumbar)
Spinous process
Adjacent spinous
process
Dorsal rami of
spinal nerves
Aid in extension of
vertebral
column
Cervical portions:
occipital,
deep cervical, and
vertebral arteries
Thoracic portions:
dorsal
branches of posterior
intercostal arteries
Lumbar portions:
dorsal
branches of lumbar
arteries
Segmental
Intertransversarii
(cervical,
thoracic,
lumbar)
Extend between
adjacent
transverse
processes of
vertebrae
Extend between adjacent
transverse
processes of
vertebrae
Dorsal rami of
spinal nerves
Assist in lateral
flexion of
vertebral
column
Cervical portions:
occipital,
deep cervical, and
vertebral arteries
Thoracic portions:
dorsal
branches of posterior
intercostal, subcostal,
and lumbar arteries
Lumbar portions:
dorsal
branches of lateral
lumbar arteries
Segmental
Latissimus dorsi
Spinous processes
of T7–L5,
thoracolumbar
fascia, iliac
crest, and last
three ribs
Humerus (intertubercular
sulcus)
Thoracodorsal
nerve
Extends, adducts,
and medially
rotates
humerus
Thoracodorsal artery, dorsal
perforating branches of
9th, 10th, and 11th
posterior intercostal,
subcostal, and first
three lumbar arteries
Superficial back
Levator scapulae
Posterior tubercles
of transverse
processes of
C1–C4
Medial border of scapula
from superior angle
to spine
Ventral rami of
C3–C4 and
dorsal
scapular
nerve
Elevates scapula
medially,
inferiorly
rotates glenoid
cavity
Dorsal scapular artery,
transverse cervical
artery, ascending
cervical artery
Superficial back
Multifidus
Sacrum, ilium,
transverse
processes of
T1–T12, and
articular
processes of
C4–C7
Spinous processes of
vertebrae above,
spanning two to four
segments
Dorsal rami of
each region
Stabilizes spine
Cervical portions:
occipital,
deep cervical, and
vertebral arteries
Thoracic portions:
dorsal
branches of posterior
intercostal, subcostal,
and lumbar arteries
Sacral portions:
dorsal
branches of lateral
sacral arteries
Transversospinalis
Obliquus capitis
inferior
Spine of axis
Transverse process of
atlas
Suboccipital
nerve
Rotates atlas to
turn face to
same side
Vertebral artery, descending
branch of occipital
artery
Suboccipital
Obliquus capitis
superior
Transverse
process of
atlas
Occipital bone
Suboccipital
nerve
Extends and
bends head
laterally
Vertebral artery, descending
branch of occipital
artery
Suboccipital
Rectus capitis
posterior
major
Spine of axis
Inferior nuchal line
Suboccipital
nerve
Extends and
rotates head
to same side
Vertebral artery, descending
branch of occipital
artery
Suboccipital
Variations in spinal nerve contributions to the innervation of muscles, their arterial supply, their attachments, and their actions are common themes in human
anatomy. Therefore, expect differences between texts and realize that anatomical variation is normal.
