Superficial & Deep Back Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the osteology, ligaments, musculature, and vasculature of the superficial and deep back based on DPTE 511 lecture materials.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra which lacks a vertebral body and contains a posterior arch, posterior tubercle, and lateral masses.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra characterized by the dens (odontoid process) which acts as a pivot for rotation.

Vertebral Column Regions

Composed of $33$ vertebrae arranged into five regions: cervical ($7$), thoracic ($12$), lumbar ($5$), sacral ($5$), and coccygeal ($4$).

Transverse Foramen

An anatomical feature unique to cervical vertebrae that allows for the passage of the vertebral artery.

Intervertebral Foramen

The anatomical region or opening through which the spinal nerve roots run.

Vertebra Prominens

A common name for the $C7$ vertebra due to its typically long and easily palpable spinous process.

Thoracolumbar Fascia

An extensive fascial complex that is thick and strong in the lumbar region, consisting of three layers (anterior, middle, and posterior) that enclose the deep back muscles.

Ligamentum Flavum

A ligament that runs from lamina to lamina and serves to limit end range flexion of the spinal column.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

A ligament running from the occiput to the sacrum along the anterior surface of all vertebral bodies that limits end range extension.

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

A ligament running from $C2$ to the sacrum along the posterior surface of all vertebral bodies that limits end range flexion.

Nuchal Ligament

An extension of the supraspinous ligament that runs to the external occipital protuberance.

Trapezius

A superficial back muscle divided into superior (descending), middle (transverse), and lower (ascending) parts, innervated by the Accessory Nerve ($CN\,XI$).

Latissimus Dorsi

A broad muscle of the back that inserts into the floor of the intertubercular groove of the humerus and is innervated by the Thoracodorsal Nerve ($C6$-$C8$).

Levator Scapulae

A muscle originating from the transverse processes of $C1$-$C4$ that elevates the scapula and is innervated by the Dorsal Scapular Nerve ($C5$) and ventral rami of $C3$-$C4$.

Rhomboids (Major and Minor)

Muscles that retract (adduct) the scapula and are innervated by the Dorsal Scapular Nerve ($C5$).

Dorsal Scapular Artery

The primary arterial supply to the Rhomboid Major muscle.

Deep Back Muscles (Intrinsic)

A group of muscles innervated by the dorsal primary rami of spinal nerves that help maintain posture and control movements of the vertebral column.

Splenius Capitis and Cervicis

Superficial layer deep back muscles with a medial-to-lateral orientation that perform extension and ipsilateral rotation.

Erector Spinae

The intermediate layer of deep back muscles with a vertical orientation, consisting of the Iliocostalis, Longissimus, and Spinalis.

Transversospinalis

The deep layer of intrinsic back muscles with a lateral-to-medial orientation, comprising the Semispinalis, Multifidus, and Rotatores.

Multifidus

A deep intrinsic muscle that provides dynamic stability to the vertebral column and connects the mammillary processes/transverse processes to spinous processes.

Quadratus Lumborum

A muscle originating at the iliac crest and inserting at the $12^{th}$ rib and $L1$-$L4$ transverse processes; it is innervated by ventral rami $T12$-$L4$.

Triangle of Auscultation

An area formed by the superior border of the Latissimus Dorsi, medial border of the scapula, and inferolateral border of the Trapezius, used to listen to lung sounds.

Uncovertebral joints (Clefts of Luschka)

Joints found between the uncinate processes of $C3$-$C7$ vertebrae and the vertebral bodies above them.

Mammillary process

Small bony tubercles found on the superior articular processes of lumbar vertebrae, providing attachment for the Multifidus muscle.