Week 1 - Back, Neck, Scapular & Suboccipital Region

Vocabulary flashcards covering the organization, attachments, innervation, and clinical significance of the back, neck, scapular, and suboccipital regions.

Superficial Extrinsic Back Muscles

A group of muscles including the Trapezius and Latissimus dorsi.

Intermediate Extrinsic Back Muscles

A group of muscles including the Levator scapulae, rhomboids, and serratus posterior superior/inferior, primarily involved in shoulder/scapular movement and inspiration.

Superficial Layer of Deep Back Muscles

Also known as the ‘Bandage’ layer, this intrinsic group includes the Splenius capitis and Splenius cervicis which attach the head to the spine.

Erector spinae

Intrinsic extensors of the spine consisting of the Spinalis, Longissimus, and Iliocostalis.

Transversospinalis group

The deep layer of intrinsic back muscles comprising the Semispinalis, Multifidus, and Rotatores.

Minor deep muscles

Small segmental intrinsic muscles including Interspinalis, Intertransversarii, and levatores costarum.

Trapezius

Muscles originating from the occipital prominence and $C_7$-$T_3$ spinous processes, inserting on the scapular spine, and innervated by Cranial $XI$ and $C_3$-$C_4$ sensory.

Latissimus dorsi

Muscle originating from $T_7$-$L_5$, iliac crest, and ribs $3/4$, inserting on the medial bicipital groove; responsible for extension, adduction, and IR.

Thoracodorsal nerve

Nerve with roots $C_6$, $C_7$, and $C_8$ that innervates the Latissimus dorsi.

Levator scapulae

Muscle originating from the transverse processes of $C_1$-$C_4$ and inserting on the medial border of the scapula; elevates and performs downward rotation.

Rhomboid major

Muscle originating from $T_2$-$T_5$, inserting on the medial border of the scapula, and innervated by the dorsal scapular nerve ($C_4$, $C_5$).

Iliocostalis

An erector spinae muscle that bilaterally extends the neck/trunk and unilaterally performs lateral flexion.

Multifidus

The thickest muscle in the transversospinalis group that spans $2$-$4$ vertebrae and stabilizes the spine.

Deltoid

Shoulder muscle innervated by the Axillary nerve ($C_5$, $C_6$) responsible for flexion, IR, abduction, extension, and ER.

Rotator cuff muscles

A group identified in the notes as the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

Quadrangular space contents

Free passage containing the Axillary nerve and Posterior circumflex humeral artery.

Lower triangular space (Triangular 2)

Anatomical space bounded by the Teres major, long head of triceps, and humerus, containing the Radial nerve and Profunda brachii artery.

Suboccipital Triangle Floor

The structure described as the $C_1$ membrane (beneath the triangle).

Suboccipital nerve

A posterior ramus of the $C_1$ nerve level that supplies the suboccipital muscles.

Spinal accessory nerve injury

Injury to CN $XI$ resulting in ipsilateral weakness with shrugging shoulders.

Triangle of auscultation

An acoustic window for lung listening bounded by the Trapezius, scapula, and latissimus dorsi.

Sprain

An injury involving a ligament.

Strain

An injury involving a muscle.

Dorsal scapular nerve injury

Injury to the $C_5$ root affecting the rhomboids and levator scapulae, leading to scapular winging or weakness in retraction.