Back Muscle Anatomy

1. Trapezius

2. Latissimus Dorsi

3. Erector Spinae

4. Posterior Deltoid / Rear Deltoid

5. RCM

6. Rhomboid

Trapezius

• The trapezius muscle is a large, triangular muscle

• Superficial muscle

• Divided into 3 parts for training purposes :

Upper , middle , lower fibers

Origin

• Upper fibers : C1 – C7 (Neck)

• Middle fibers : T1 – T3 (Upper Thoracic vertebra)

• Lower Fibers : T4 – T12 (Lower Thoracic vertebra)

Insertion

• Upper Fibers – Clavicle

• Middle + Lower Fibers – Scapula

Action / Movement
Origin

• Upper fibers : C1 – C7 (Neck)

• Middle fibers : T1 – T3 (Upper Thoracic vertebra)

• Lower Fibers : T4 – T12 (Lower Thoracic vertebra)

Insertion

• Upper Fibers – Clavicle

• Middle + Lower Fibers – Scapula

Latissimus Dorsi

• The latissimus dorsi muscle / lats is the widest muscle in the human body.

• Superficial Muscle

Origin T6-T12

L1- L5

Pelvis
 Insertion Humerus (Posterior near Shoulder joint)

Action / Movement

Shoulder Joint :

• Extension

• Adduction

• Medial Rotation

Erector Spinae

• Extends on either side of the vertebral column

• Deep Postural muscle

• This muscle is responsible for humans walking on 2 feet and not like animals

• Origin

• C1 – Neck

• Insertion

• Pelvis

Lumbar Movements
 • Lumbar Flexion – Front bending / toe touch

• Lumbar Extension – From toe touch position to straight

• Lumbar Hyperextension – From straight position to backward bending

• Lateral Flexion / Side bending – Opp side muscle contracts

Action / Movement

Bilateral contraction- Left and right Erector Spinae

Lumbar Extension

Lumbar Hyperextension

Unilateral contraction – Erector Spinae on one side

Lateral flexion (side bending)

Rhomboids

• The rhomboids are two bilateral, superficial muscles located in the upper back.

• They consist of two muscles called rhomboid minor and rhomboid major.

• Origin :

• Rhomboid minor: Vertebrae C7-T1

Rhomboid major : Vertebrae T2-T5

• Insertion :

• Scapula Border