MuscleTables
Table2-2
MuscleTables
MUSCLE
PROXIMAL
ATTACHMENT
(ORIGIN)
DISTAL
ATTACHMENT
(INSERTION)
INNERVATION
MAIN ACTIONS
BLOOD SUPPLY
MUSCLE
GROUP
Rectus capitis
posterior minor
Tubercle of
posterior arch
of atlas
Median inferior
nuchal line
Suboccipital nerve
Extends head
Vertebral artery,
descending branch of
occipital artery
Suboccipital
Rhomboid major
Spinous processes
of T2–T5
vertebrae
Medial border of
scapula below
base of spine of
scapula
Dorsal scapular nerve
Fixes scapula to
thoracic wall
and retracts
and rotates it
to depress
glenoid cavity
Dorsal scapular artery
OR
deep branch of
transverse cervical
artery, dorsal
perforating branches
of the upper five
or six posterior
intercostal arteries
Superficial back
Rhomboid minor
Ligamentum
nuchae,
spines of C7
and T1
vertebrae
Medial border of
scapula at spine
of scapula
Dorsal scapular nerve
Fixes scapula to
thoracic wall
and retracts
and rotates it
to depress
glenoid cavity
Dorsal scapular artery
OR
deep branch of
transverse cervical
artery, dorsal
perforating branches
of the upper five or
six posterior
intercostal arteries
Superficial back
Rotatores
Transverse
processes of
cervical,
thoracic, and
lumbar
regions
Lamina and
transverse
process of spine
above, spanning
one or two
segments
Dorsal rami of spinal
nerves
Stabilizes, extends,
and rotates
spine
Dorsal branches of
segmental arteries
Transversospinalis
Semispinalis
Transverse
processes of
C4–T12
Spinous processes
of cervical and
thoracic regions
Dorsal rami of spinal
nerves
Extends head,
neck, and
thorax and
rotates them
to opposite
side
Cervical portions:
occipital, deep
cervical, and vertebral
arteries
Thoracic portions:
dorsal
branches of posterior
intercostal arteries
Transversospinalis
Serratus posterior
inferior
Spinous processes
of T11–L2
Inferior aspect of
ribs 9–12
Ventral rami of lower
thoracic nerves
Depresses ribs
Posterior intercostal
arteries
Intermediate back
Serratus posterior
superior
Ligamentum
nuchae,
spinous
processes of
C7–T3
Superior aspect of
ribs 2–4
Ventral rami of upper
thoracic nerves
Elevates ribs
Posterior intercostal
arteries
Intermediate back
Splenius capitis
Nuchal ligament,
spinous
process of
C7–T3
Mastoid process of
temporal bone,
lateral third of
superior nuchal
line
Dorsal rami of middle
cervical nerves
Bilaterally:
extend
head
Unilaterally
:
laterally bends
(flexes) and
rotates face to
same side
Descending branch of
occipital artery, deep
cervical artery
Spinotransverse
Splenius cervicis
Spinous process
of T3–T6
Transverse
processes
(C1–C3)
Dorsal rami of lower
cervical nerves
Bilaterally
: extend
neck
Unilaterally:
laterally bends
(flexes) and
rotates neck
toward same
side
Descending branch of
occipital artery, deep
cervical artery
Spinotransverse
Trapezius
Superior nuchal
line, external
occipital
protuberance,
nuchal
ligament,
spinous
processes of
C7–T12
Lateral third of
clavicle,
acromion, spine
of scapula
Accessory nerve
(CN XI)
Elevates, retracts,
and rotates
scapula; lower
fibers depress
scapula
Transverse cervical artery,
dorsal perforating
branches of posterior
intercostal arteries
Superficial back
