muscles and ligaments of spine

what are the ligaments of the spine?

- anterior longitudinal ligament

- posterior longitudinal ligament

- ligamentum flavum

- interspinal ligament

- supraspinous ligament

- intertransverse ligament

what is the function of the anterior longitudinal ligament?

prevents hyperextension

what is the function of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

prevents hyperflexion

which is thicker and stronger out of the anterior and posterior ligaments?

anterior

where does the ligamentum flavum attach?

lamina to lamina

where do the interspinous ligaments attach?

spinous processes

where do the supraspinous ligaments attach?

tips of the spinous processes

where do the intertransverse ligaments attach?

between transverse processes

what are the three groups of back muscles?

superficial, intermediate and deep

what are the superficial muscles of the back also known as?

spinotransversales

what are the superficial muscles of the back?

- splenius capitus

- splenius cervicis

what is the function of the splenius capitus and cervicis?

- rotation of head to same side

- together they can extend head and neck

what are the intermediate muscles of the back also called?

erector spinae

what are the intermediate muscles of the back from lateral to medial?

- iliocostalis

- longissimus

- spinalis

what are the three parts of the iliocostalis?

lumborum, thoracis, cervicis

what is the function of the iliocostalis?

unilaterally - laterally flexes the vertebral column

bilaterally - extend vertebral column and head

what are the three parts of the longissimus and spinalis?

thoracic, cervicis, capitus

what is the function of the longissimus?

unilaterally. - laterally flexes vertebral column

bilaterally - extend vertebral column and head

what is the function of the spinalis?

unilaterally - laterally flex vertebral column

bilaterally - extend vertebral column and head

what are the deep muscles of the back also known as?

transversospinales

what are the deep muscles of the back from superficial to deep?

- semispinalis

- multifidus

- rotatores

- minor deep intrinsic muscles

what does the semispinalis do?

extends and contralaterally rotates head and vertebral column

what does the multifidus do?

stabilises vertebral column (most prominent in lumbar area)

what does the rotatores do?

- extension and rotation of vertebral column

- stabilisation

what are the minor deep intrinsic muscles?

- interspinales

- intertransversarii

- levatores costarum

what do the interspinales and intertransversarii muscles do?

stabilise vertebral column

what does the levatores costarum do?

elevates ribs