Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomySpine and backBackThoracolumbar fascia
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomySpine and backBackThoracolumbar fascia

Thoracolumbar fascia

Author: Onome Okpe • Reviewer: Roberto Grujičić, MD
Last reviewed: December 05, 2022
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Deep muscles of the back [21:25]
Overview of the intrinsic muscles of the back.
Thoracolumbar fascia
Fascia thoracolumbalis
1/2
Synonyms: Lumbodorsal fascia, Fascia dorsi , show more...

The thoracolumbar fascia is a large, roughly diamond-shaped area of connective tissue constituted by the thoracic and lumbar parts of the deep fascia enclosing the intrinsic back muscles. More specifically, the thoracolumbar fascia separates the paraspinal muscles from the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall. 

This fascia extends from the vertebrae to the sacrum. The thoracolumbar fascia serves as an attachment site for various muscles of the back.

This article will describe the anatomy and function of the thoracolumbar fascia.

Key facts about the thoracolumbar fascia
Attachments Nuchal ligament, spinous processes, supraspinous ligament, median crest of sacrum
Function - Involved in movement and load transfer between the trunk and the limbs. 
- Houses several deep muscles of the back (e.g. quadratus lumborum, transversospinalis, spinal erectors and multifidus).
- Contains a number of nociceptive nerve endings that may be responsible for some forms of back pain.
Contents
  1. Anatomy
  2. Function
  3. Clinical correlation
    1. Chronic low back pain
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy

Thoracolumbar fascia
Fascia thoracolumbalis
1/3
Synonyms: Lumbodorsal fascia, Fascia dorsi , show more...

The deep fascia of the back attaches medially to the nuchal ligament, the tips of the spinous processes of the vertebrae, the supraspinous ligament.

When it reaches the thoracic and lumbar regions, the deep fascia of the back changes its name to thoracolumbar fascia. The thoracolumbar fascia ends by inserting into the median crest of the sacrum. 

Like the most fasciae in the body, the thoracolumbar fascia surrounds the deep muscles of the back, and divides the muscles into compartments.

In the thoracic region, the thin layer of fascia that project from the spinous processes to the ribs, provide a thin covering for the extensor muscles of the spine. In the lumbar region, the thoracolumbar fascia is comprised of three thick layers (anterior, middle and posterior layers);

  1. The posterior layer is attached to the spines of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae and to the supraspinous ligaments. 
  2. The middle layer is attached medially to the lumbar transverse processes, and laterally to the iliac crest, twelfth rib and the lumbocostal ligament.
  3. The anterior layer is attached to the lumbar transverse processes and the iliolumbar ligament.

Together, these layers provide a strong, thick covering for muscles in the lumbar region where it is widest.

Avoid these common anatomy learning mistakes to improve efficiency and propel your studies!

Function

The thoracolumbar fascia acts as an attachment site for the trapezius muscle, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus and the hamstrings group of muscles. Being such an important attachment point, this fascia has an important role in body movements (e.g. lifting). In addition the fascia plays an important role in load transfer between the trunk and the limbs.

The fascia houses the quadratus lumborum, transversospinalis, spinal erectors (erector spinae) and multifidus muscles and their tendons, among other intrinsic muscles of the posterior thoracic and lumbar regions. 

The thoracolumbar fascia contains nociceptive nerve endings that may be responsible for some forms of back pain.

Test your knowledge on the deep muscles of the back with this quiz.

Find out more about the anatomy of these muscles below:

Deep muscles of the back Explore study unit

Clinical correlation

Chronic low back pain

The thoracolumbar fascia has been implicated in pains of the lower back region buttocks (piriformis syndrome) and sacroiliac joint pains.

Injury to the thoracolumbar fascia usually manifests as tightness, spasticity and increased tone in the lower thoracic spine and lumbar spine / paraspinal regions causing severe pains.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Illustrators:

  • Thoracolumbar fascia (posterior view) - Yousun Koh

Thoracolumbar fascia: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!