HUMAN

ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY
LABORATORY

MUSCULAR SYSTEM
(BACK REGION)

REVIEWER BY G4
 MUSCLES MOVING THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
(POSTERIOR PERSPECTIVE)
The muscles that extend, laterally flex, and rotate the vertebral column
are divided into 'superficial' and 'deep' groups.
SUPERFICIAL GROUP
Consists of muscles that connect the vertebrae to the ribs.
DEEP GROUP
Consists of muscles that connect vertebrae together.
ERECTOR SPINAE
Group of muscles on each side of the back
Consists of three subgroups (e.g. iliocostalis, longissimus, and
spinalis).
ILIOCOSTALIS
Dorsal muscle situated deep to the fleshy section of serratus
anterior.
LONGISSIMUS
Accounts for most of the muscle mass in the lower back.
SPINALIS
Any of the deep muscles of the back near the vertebral column.
Assists in extension, lateral flexion, and spinal rotation.

MUSCLES ACTING ON THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

(ORIGIN, INSERTION, NERVE, & ACTION)
 THORACIC MUSCLES
(POSTERIOR PERSPECTIVE)
Mainly involved in the control of breathing.
Four groups are associated with the rib cage.
CHANGES IN THE DIAMETER OF THE RIB CAGE
Important for determining airflow in and out of the lungs.
SCALENE
Muscles that elevate the first two ribs during more forceful
inhalation.
EXTERNAL INTERCOSTALS
Elevate the ribs during quiet, resting inhalation.
INTERNAL INTERCOSTALS & TRANSVERSUS THORACIS
Muscles that depress the ribs during forced exhalation.

MUSCLES OF THE THORAX

(ORIGIN, INSERTION, NERVE, & ACTION)

ACTION OF THE INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES

(MNEMONICS)

A mnemonic for the action of the

intercostal muscles is singing “Old
MacDonald had a farm, E, I, E, I, O”
External Intercostals Elevate during
Inhalation, Oh!
 DIAPHRAGM
(POSTERIOR PERSPECTIVE)
The muscle responsible for normal, quiet
breathing.
It is dome-shaped muscle.
INHALATION
It happens when the diaphragm contracts, the
dome flattens, causing the volume of thoracic
cavity to increase.
EXHALATION
It happens when the diaphragm relaxes, the
dome returns, forcing the air out of the lungs.

ABDOMINAL WALL
(POSTERIOR PERSPECTIVE)
Muscles of the anterior abdominal wall flex and rotate the
vertebral column.
CONTRACTION OF ABDOMINAL MUSCLES
Decreases the volume of abdominal and thoracic cavities.
CRIS-CROSS LAYERING OF ABDOMINAL MUSCLES
It creates a strong anterior wall, which holds in and
protects the abdominal viscera.
LINEA ALBA
A vertical white line visible in a muscular person who
has little body fat.
It consists of dense regular collagenous connective
tissue.
RECTUS ABDOMINIS
Located on each side of the Linea alba surrounded by
a rectus sheath.
LINEA SEMINULARIS
Lateral to the rectus abdominis.
MUSCLES OF THE PELVIC FLOOR AND PERINEUM
(ORIGIN, INSERTION, NERVE, & ACTION)
STRUCTURE OF THE MUSCLES OF THE PELVIC FLOOR AND PERINEUM
(DIFFERENCE IN MALE AND FEMALE)

MUSCLES ACTING ON THE SCAPULA

(ORIGIN, INSERTION, NERVE, & ACTION)

MUSCLES ACTING ON THE SCAPULA

(STRUCTURAL ILLUSTRATION)
 LOW BACK PAIN
(PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC EXPLANATION)

LOW BACK PAIN

It can result from injury, poor posture, being
overweight, or lack of fitness.
It is the primary cause of missed work and second
most neurological affliction in the US.
It is often accompanied by muscle spasms.
Patients should sit and stand up straight; use a low
back support when sitting; lose weight; exercise;
especially the back and abdominal muscles; and try
to sleep on their side on a firm mattress.
MUSCLES ACTING ON THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
 MUSCLE NOMENCLATURE
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)