Anatomy: Back and Vertebral Canal

Question 0

Semispinalis Capitis

Answer 0

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerves
A: extend head, extend and contralaterally rotate cervical/thoracic regions of vertebral column
O: transverse process of T1-7, C7 articular process of C4-6
I: occipital bone

Question 1

Splenius Capitis

Answer 1

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerve
A: unilateral: laterally flex neck and rotate head to side of active muscles, bilateral: extend head and neck
O: nuchal ligament of spinous process of C7 to T3 or T4
I: mastoid process of temporal bone and lateral third of superior nuchal line

Question 2

Erector Spinae

• illiocostalis
• longissimus
• spinalis

Answer 2

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerves
A: unilateral: laterally flex vertebral column ipsilaterally, bilateral: extend vertebral column and head
O: iliac crest, sacrum, sacroiliac ligament, sacral and lumbar spinous processes
I: illiocostalis: lumborum, thoracis, cervicis, fibers run to angles of lower ribs and cervical transverse processes; longissimus: thoracis cervicis, Capitis, fibers run to ribs between tubercles and angles to transverse processes in thoracic and cervical regions , and to mastoid process of temporal bone; spinalis: thoracis, cervicis, Capitis, fibers run to spinous processes in the upper thoracic region and to cranium

Question 3

Transversospinalis

• semispinalis
• multifundus
• rotatores

Answer 3

N: dorsal rami of spinal nerves
A: extend head and extend and contralaterally rotate cervical/thoracic regions of vertebral column
O: transverse processes
I: spinous processes of superior vertebrae, semispinalis spans 4-6 segments, multifundus spans 2-4 segments, rotatores span 1 or 2 segments