Transversospinales

Transversospinales
Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Showing the arrangement of the fascia coli.
Deep muscles of the back.
Details
OriginTransverse process
InsertionSpinous process
NervePosterior ramus of spinal nerve
ActionsExtend vertebral column (bilateral contraction); rotate vertebral column (unilateral contraction)
Identifiers
Latinmusculi transversospinales
TA98A04.3.02.201
TA22275
FMA71304
Anatomical terms of muscle

The transversospinales are a group of muscles of the human back. Their combined action is rotation and extension of the vertebral column. These muscles are small and have a poor mechanical advantage for contributing to motion. They include: the three semispinalis muscles, the multifidus muscle, and the rotatores muscles.

Location

The three semispinalis muscles, span 4-6 vertebral segments:

    • semispinalis thoracis
    • semispinalis cervicis
    • semispinalis capitis

The multifidus muscle, and spans 2-4 vertebral segments

The rotatores muscles, lie beneath the multifidus, and spans 1-2 vertebral segments

    • rotatores cervicis
    • rotatores thoracis
    • rotatores lumborum
  • Musculoskeletal Interventions: Techniques for Therapeutic exercise. Authors: Michael L. Voight, Barabara J. Hoogenboom, William E. Prentice.