Superficial muscles of the back
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the superficial muscles of the back.
- Locate the attachments of each muscle.
- Describe the innervation of each muscle.
- Discover the various functions of each superficial back muscle.
Watch videos
The superficial muscles of the back are located beneath the skin and superficial fascia of the back and extend between the vertebral column and bones of the pectoral girdle and arm. Their principal function is to support and move the upper limb through movement of the scapula and humerus.
They are divided into two different parts consisting of a:
- Superficial layer: trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and minor muscles
- Intermediate layer: serratus posterior superior and inferior muscles
Each muscle has its individual attachment points, innervation and function. All this might seem a lot to memorize. However, don't stress, the following video will give you a comprehensive overview of all you should know regarding the superficial muscles of the back. You’ve got this!
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.
Take a quiz
Would you like to reinforce your knowledge of the superficial back muscles? Test yourself with the following quizzes.
If you want to broaden your knowledge on this topic, try out this customized quiz about the back.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/942/ujlj9UZT6uPsLr0rOMqg_secondary-and-neck-back-muscles_english.jpg){kind=logo}
Take a closer look at the superficial muscles of the back in the gallery below.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-rectus-capitis-posterior-major/bfSXnzijP2Z6KEReHEg_Rectus_capitis_posterior_major.png "Rectus capitis posterior major muscle (Musculus rectus capitis posterior major); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-rectus-capitis-posterior-minor/APbHS6DSyAMLugBTX0bw_Musculus_rectus_capitis_posterior_minor.png "Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle (Musculus rectus capitis posterior minor); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-obliquus-capitis-inferior/tXvXr3QaPHIdKBk1OLaHSQ_Obliquus_capitis_inferior.png "Obliquus capitis inferior muscle (Musculus obliquus capitis inferior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-obliquus-capitis-superior/7FwCtDwUitWdfjTdWCvA_Obliquus_capitis_superior.png "Obliquus capitis superior muscle (Musculus obliquus capitis superior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-latissimus-dorsi/IrtirBf6PsVLImfncXQHWQ_Musculus_latissimus_dorsi_1.png "Latissimus dorsi muscle (Musculus latissimus dorsi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-trapezius/nlED3bBAmrBa3gqt1Q5WA_Musculus_trapezius_1.png "Trapezius muscle (Musculus trapezius); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-serratus-posterior-superior/Z2ldzJ2XeJWZ63SiJN0coQ_810_M._serratur_posterior_superior_FKT_Korrektur2-1.png "Serratus posterior superior muscle (Musculus serratus posterior superior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-serratus-posterior-inferior/cOotIBXw6fKdMs3ldRjFA_Musculus_serratus_posterior_inferior_1.png "Serratus posterior inferior muscle (Musculus serratus posterior inferior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-rhomboideus-major/AfbeHMvYMNnRLp9DgOAJpw_Rhomboid_major.png "Rhomboid major muscle (Musculus rhomboideus major); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-rhomboideus-minor/ahHubmNa3Kq9lmeXUFrDOQ_Rhomboid_minor.png "Rhomboid minor muscle (Musculus rhomboideus minor); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-levator-scapulae/ZeUYiETU7cBAla4RdSJxdg_Musculus_levator_scapulae_1.png "Levator scapulae muscle (Musculus levator scapulae); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Superficial layer | Trapezius muscle Latissimus dorsi muscle Levator scapulae muscle Rhomboid major muscle Rhomboid minor muscle |
| Intermediate layer | Serratus posterior superior muscle Serratus posterior inferior muscle |
| Suboccipital muscles | Rectus capitis posterior major muscle Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle Obliquus capitis superior muscle Obliquus capitis inferior muscle |
| Innervation |
Superficial layer: Anterior rami of spinal nerve C3-C8 (+ accessory nerve (CN XI) for trapezius) Intermediate layer: 2nd-5th, 9th-11th intercostal nerves, subcostal nerve Suboccipital muscles: Suboccipital nerve (C1) |
Well done!
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