erector spinae (musculus sacrospinalis)

Introduction

muscles of the back

Origin

sacrum, ilium & spines of the lumbar vertebrae

Insertion

• muscle divides into 3 columns
  • iliocostalis muscle
  • longissimus muscle
  • spinalis muscle
• muscles insert into ribs & vertebrae with additional fibers joining columns at higher levels

Action

extends & laterally flexes vertebral column

Innervation

dorsal rami of spinal nerves

More general terms

• skeletal muscle (voluntary muscle)

More specific terms

• iliocostalis cervicis (cervicalis ascendens)
• iliocostalis lumborum
• iliocostalis thoracis (iliocostalis dorsi)
• longissimus capitis (musculus trachelomastoideus, musculus transversus capitis)
• longissimus cervicis (musculus transversalis colli)
• longissimus thoracis (musculus longissimus dorsi)
• spinalis capitis (biventer cervicis)
• spinalis cervicis (spinalis colli)
• spinalis thoracis (spinalis dorsi)