Deep muscles of the back

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The deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back extend along the length of either side of the vertebral column, deep to the thoracolumbar fascia, all the way from the skull to the pelvis. Their main functions include maintaining the body posture as well as facilitating the movements of the vertebral column.

They can be subdivided into four groups, or layers:

• Superficial layer: Splenii muscles
• Intermediate layer: Erector spinae muscles
• Deep layer: Transversospinal muscles
• Deepest layer: Segmental muscles

The majority of the deep back muscles are innervated by the segmental branches of the posterior rami of spinal nerves. The blood supply comes from branches of the occipital, deep and transverse cervical, vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar and lateral sacral arteries.

So much information can surely sound overwhelming but don’t worry as in the following video tutorial we made sure to explain the anatomy of this complex muscle group in an easy-to-digest way.

In this study unit we will also explore the suboccipital muscles: the rectus capitis posterior major and minor as well as the obliquus capitis superior and inferior muscles.

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Do you enjoy exploring these muscles through layers? Take a look at our gallery and revise muscle by muscle.

Summary