Muscles of the

Back
Dr. Sherif Fahmy
 Muscles of the Back
A- Superficial Muscles:
Trapezius and Latissimus dorsi.
B- Deep Muscles:
Rhomboideus major & minor, levator
scapulae
Dr. Sherif Fahmy
Orientation of Muscles of
the Back
 Trapezius m. Levator
scapulae m.
Latissimus
dorsi m.
Rhomboideus (Rhomboid)
minor m.
Rhomoboideus (Rhomboid)
major m.

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Superficial muscles Deep muscles

Trapezius Muscle
Trapezius m.
Orientation of Skeleton
of the Back
 External occipital
protuberance

Superior nuchal line

Spine of C7

Spines of thoracic
vertebrae

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Origin of Trapezius muscle
 External occipital protuberance

Medial 1/3 of Superior nuchal

line
Ligamentum nuchae
Spine of C7
(Nuchal ligament)

Thoracic spines & Dr. Sherif Fahmy

supraspinous lig.
Insertion of Trapezius
muscle
 Posterior border of lateral 1/3
of clavicle

Medial margin of
acromion

Upper lip of
crest of spine

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Tubercle at the crest near
the root of the spine
 Middle fibers
Upper fibers

Tubercle at crest
of the spine near Posterior border of
the root of the lateral 1/3 of clavicle
spine

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Medial border of
acromion & upper lip
Lower fibers
of the crest
 Nerve Supply
Motor:
Spinal accessory nerve.
Sensory:
C3,4
Action of Trapezius
Action of upper fibers

Action of middle fibers

Action of lower fibers

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

 Action of Trapezius
Upper fibers:
➢Elevation of scapula & suspends shoulder.
➢Upward rotation of scapula (abduction of arm above
90 degrees).
Middle fibers:
➢Retracts scapula.
Lower fibers:
➢Upward rotation of scapula (abduction of arm above
90 degrees).
Dr. Sherif Fahmy
Triangles Related to Trapezius
Muscle
 Trapezius Posterior
triangle of neck

Scapula

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Auscultation
Latissimus triangle
dorsi m.
Latissimus Dorsi
Muscle
Teres major m.

Latissimus dorsi
m.

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

 Teres major m.

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Inferior angle

Lower 4 ribs
Lumbar fascia
Internal oblique &
transversus abdominis
Lower 6 thoracic muscles
spines Iliac crest
Insertion of latissimus dorsi
m. into bicipital groove
Teres major
m.

Latissimus
Posterior axillary fold dorsi m.

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Triangles related to Latissimus dorsi
Muscle
1- Auscultation triangle.
2- Lumbar triangle.
 Auscultation
triangle Latissimus
dorsi muscle
Dr. Sherif Fahmy

External oblique m.
Lumbar triangle

Iliac crest
Nerve Supply of latissimus dorsi muscle:
➢Nerve to latissimus dorsi (thoraco-dorsal nerve)
(C5,6,7).
Action:
➢Adducts, extends and medially rotates the arm at
shoulder joint e.g. in rowing (‫)التجديف‬, swimming.
➢Pulls the trunk upward in climbing (helped by sterno-
costal head of pectoralis major muscle).
➢Deep (forced) expiratory muscle in cough & sneezing.
Deep Muscles of The Back
Deep Muscles
1- Levator scapulae.
2- Rhomboideus (Rhomboid) Minor.
3- Rhomboideus (Rhomboid) major

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Medial Spine
border
Dr. Sherif Fahmy
 Levator scapulae m.
Trapezius m.

Rhomboideus
minor m.

Rhomboideus
major m.

Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Deep Muscles of the Back
Transverse processes of upper
4 cervical vertebrae
Levator scapulae m.

Rhomboideus minor m. Nuchal ligament, Spines of C7

& T1
Spines of T2-5)

Rhomboideus major m. Dr. Sherif Fahmy

Nerve supply of deep muscles of the back
All are supplied by:
-Dorsal scapular nerve (C5).
-C3,4 to levator scapulae (sensory).
Action of Deep Muscles of the Back
All muscles :
-Downward rotation of the scapula (picking something from the
ground).
-Retraction of scapula with middle fibers of trapezius.
-Levator scapulae elevates the scapula with upper fibers of
trapezius muscle.
 All downwards rotate of scapula

All retract of scapula

Elevation of scapula

Action of deep muscles Dr. Sherif Fahmy