Back

Function of the back

The intricate anatomy of the back provides support for the head and trunk of the body, strength in the trunk of the body, as well as a great deal of flexibility and movement.

The upper back has the most structural support, with the ribs attached firmly to each level of the thoracic spine and very limited movement.

The lower back (lumbar vertabrae) allows for flexibility and movement in back bending (extension) and forward bending (flexion). It does not permit twisting.

Muscles of the back

The spine is bordered by several groups of muscles, including the intertransversarii muscle which facilitate movement between the individual vertabrae, and the multifidus spinae, which facilitate the movement of the spine as a whole.

Other muscles in the back are associated with the movement of the neck and shoulders. The trapezius muscle, which is named from its trapezium-like shape, runs between the neck, the anterior chain, the two shoulders, and the thoracic vertebra. The large latissimus dorsi makes a triangle from the shoulder to the hip.

The main back muscles are:

• Infraspinatus,
• Latissimus Dorsi,
• Levator Scapulae,
• Rhomboids,
• Teres Major,
• Teres Minor and the
• Trapezius

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