Gross Anatomy - Back and Shoulders Exam With complete
solution–Expert Verified | Latest Questions 2025
Vertebral Column components - vertebrae and intervertebral discs (part of axial
skeleton)
Functions of vertebral column - Protection
Support weight superior to pelvis
Axis for head and body
Posture and locomotion
Movements of the vertebral column - Flexion, Extension, Lateral flexion, Rotation
Parts of a vertebrae - Vertebral body
Pedicles
Laminae
Spinous process
Transverse process
Vertebral body - massive anterior part
Pedicles - short processes projecting from vertebral body (side of vertebral canal)
Laminae - Flat plates that connect to pedicles and unite in the midline
Spinous processes (SP) - posterior projection at laminal junction
Transverse processes (TP) - bilateral posterolateral projections from junctions of
pedicles/laminae
Supraspinous lig. - connects SP from C7 to sacrum (merges superiorly to nuchal lig.)
Nuchal lig. - Extent from external occipital protuberance and foramen magnum to SPs of
cervical vertebrae (C1-7)
Purpose of nuchal lig. - Accommodates shortness and depth of cervical vertebrae and
provides attachment point for muscles that attach to SP
Extrinsic back mm. - Control limb and respiratory movement
Superficial and intermediate
Intrinsic back mm. - Superficial, intermediate and deep
Act on vertebral column
Entirely on back
, Function of superficial extrinsic back muscles - Move scapula and humerus
Trapezius m. (3 parts) - Upper - descending from skull
Middle - horizontal
Lower - ascending from vertebral column
Trapezius m. origin and insertion - Origin: external occipital protuberance, lig. nuchae,
C7-T12 spinous processes
Insertion: Lat. 1/3 clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula
Trapezius m. Actions - Traps are RUDE to scaps
Retraction
Upward rotation
Depression
Elevation
Trapezius m. innervation - Accessory n. (CN XI)
Latissimus dorsi m. origin and insertion - Origin: T7-12 spinous processes,
thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inf. 3-4 ribs
Insertion: floor of the intertubercular sulcus, humerus
Latissimus dorsi m. actions - "swimmer's muscle"
Medial rotation
Extension
Adduction
Pulls trunk towards upper extremity
Latissimus dorsi m. innervation - Thoracodorsal n. (C6-8)
Levator Scapulae m. location, origin and insertion - Deep to trapezius
Origin: post. aspect C1-4 transverse processes
Insertion: superior angle of scapula
Levator Scapulae m. actions - Elevation of scapula
Stabilization of scapula
Levator scapulae m. innervation - Dorsal scapular n. (C5)
Rhomboid Major m. location, origin and insertion - Deep to trapezius, inferior to
rhomboid minor
Origin: T2-5
Insertion: medial border of scapula below spine
Rhomboid Major m. actions - Rhomboids are RED
Retraction
solution–Expert Verified | Latest Questions 2025
Vertebral Column components - vertebrae and intervertebral discs (part of axial
skeleton)
Functions of vertebral column - Protection
Support weight superior to pelvis
Axis for head and body
Posture and locomotion
Movements of the vertebral column - Flexion, Extension, Lateral flexion, Rotation
Parts of a vertebrae - Vertebral body
Pedicles
Laminae
Spinous process
Transverse process
Vertebral body - massive anterior part
Pedicles - short processes projecting from vertebral body (side of vertebral canal)
Laminae - Flat plates that connect to pedicles and unite in the midline
Spinous processes (SP) - posterior projection at laminal junction
Transverse processes (TP) - bilateral posterolateral projections from junctions of
pedicles/laminae
Supraspinous lig. - connects SP from C7 to sacrum (merges superiorly to nuchal lig.)
Nuchal lig. - Extent from external occipital protuberance and foramen magnum to SPs of
cervical vertebrae (C1-7)
Purpose of nuchal lig. - Accommodates shortness and depth of cervical vertebrae and
provides attachment point for muscles that attach to SP
Extrinsic back mm. - Control limb and respiratory movement
Superficial and intermediate
Intrinsic back mm. - Superficial, intermediate and deep
Act on vertebral column
Entirely on back
, Function of superficial extrinsic back muscles - Move scapula and humerus
Trapezius m. (3 parts) - Upper - descending from skull
Middle - horizontal
Lower - ascending from vertebral column
Trapezius m. origin and insertion - Origin: external occipital protuberance, lig. nuchae,
C7-T12 spinous processes
Insertion: Lat. 1/3 clavicle, acromion, spine of scapula
Trapezius m. Actions - Traps are RUDE to scaps
Retraction
Upward rotation
Depression
Elevation
Trapezius m. innervation - Accessory n. (CN XI)
Latissimus dorsi m. origin and insertion - Origin: T7-12 spinous processes,
thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest, inf. 3-4 ribs
Insertion: floor of the intertubercular sulcus, humerus
Latissimus dorsi m. actions - "swimmer's muscle"
Medial rotation
Extension
Adduction
Pulls trunk towards upper extremity
Latissimus dorsi m. innervation - Thoracodorsal n. (C6-8)
Levator Scapulae m. location, origin and insertion - Deep to trapezius
Origin: post. aspect C1-4 transverse processes
Insertion: superior angle of scapula
Levator Scapulae m. actions - Elevation of scapula
Stabilization of scapula
Levator scapulae m. innervation - Dorsal scapular n. (C5)
Rhomboid Major m. location, origin and insertion - Deep to trapezius, inferior to
rhomboid minor
Origin: T2-5
Insertion: medial border of scapula below spine
Rhomboid Major m. actions - Rhomboids are RED
Retraction
