The erector spinae ( )
or spinal erectors is a set of
muscles that straighten and rotate the
back. The spinal erectors work together with the glutes (
gluteus maximus,
gluteus medius and
gluteus minimus) to maintain stable
posture standing or
sitting.
Structure
The erector spinae is not just one muscle, but a group of
muscle
Muscle is a soft tissue, one of the four basic types of animal tissue. There are three types of muscle tissue in vertebrates: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle. Muscle tissue gives skeletal muscles the ability to muscle contra ...
s and
tendon
A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue, dense fibrous connective tissue that connects skeletal muscle, muscle to bone. It sends the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system, while withstanding tensi ...
s which run more or less the length of the spine on the left and the right, from the
sacrum, or sacral region, and
hips to the base of the
skull. They are also known as the sacrospinalis group of muscles. These muscles lie on either side of the
spinous processes of the vertebrae and extend throughout the
lumbar,
thoracic, and
cervical regions. The erector spinae is covered in the lumbar and thoracic regions by the
thoracolumbar fascia, and in the cervical region by the
nuchal ligament.
This large muscular and tendinous mass varies in size and structure at different parts of the vertebral column. In the sacral region, it is narrow and pointed, and at its origin chiefly tendinous in structure. In the lumbar region, it is larger, and forms a thick fleshy mass. Further up, it is subdivided into three columns. They gradually diminish in size as they ascend to be inserted into the vertebrae and ribs.
The erector spinae is attached to the medial crest of the sacrum (a slightly raised feature of the sacrum closer towards the midline of the body as opposed to the "lateral" crest which is further away from the midline of the body), to the spinous processes of the lumbar, and the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae and the
supraspinous ligament, to the back part of the inner lip of the iliac crests (the top border of the hips), and to the lateral crests of the sacrum, where it blends with the
sacrotuberous and
posterior sacroiliac ligaments.
Some of its fibers are continuous with the fibers of origin of the
gluteus maximus.
The muscular fibers form a large fleshy mass that splits, in the upper lumbar region, into three columns, viz., a lateral (iliocostalis), an intermediate (longissimus), and a medial (spinalis). Each of these consists of three parts, inferior to superior, as follows:
Iliocostalis
The iliocostalis originates from the
sacrum,
erector spinae aponeurosis, and
iliac crest. The iliocostalis has three different insertions according to the parts:
*
iliocostalis lumborum has the lumbar part (where its insertion is in the 12th to 7th ribs).
*
iliocostalis thoracis where its insertion runs from the last 6 ribs to the first 6 ribs.
*
iliocostalis cervicis which runs from the first 6 ribs to the posterior tubercle of the transverse process of C6-C4.
Longissimus
The longissimus muscle is the intermediate and the largest of the three columns. It has three parts with different origin and insertion:
*
longissimus thoracis originates from the sacrum, spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae, and transverse process of the last thoracic vertebra and inserts in the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, erector spinae aponeurosis, ribs, and costal processes of the thoracic vertebrae.
*
longissimus cervicis originates from the transverse processes of T6-T1 and inserts in the transverse processes of C7-C2.
*
longissimus capitis originates from the transverse processes of T3-T1, runs through C7-C3, and inserts in the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
Spinalis
The spinalis muscle is the smallest and most medial column. It has three parts:
*
spinalis thoracis which originates from the spinous process of L3-T10 and inserts in the spinous process of T8-T2.
*
spinalis cervicis originates from the spinous process of T2-C6 and inserts in the spinous process of C4-C2.
*
spinalis capitis is an inconstant muscle fiber that runs from the cervical and upper thoracic and then inserts in the external occipital protuberance.
From lateral to medial, the erector spinae muscles can be remembered using the
mnemonic
A mnemonic device ( ), memory trick or memory device is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval in the human memory, often by associating the information with something that is easier to remember.
It makes use of e ...
, I Love Spine. I lliocostalis, Love Longissimus and Spine Spinalis.
Training
Below are examples of exercises by which the erector spinae can be strengthened for therapeutic or athletic purposes. Additionally, exercises of the
glutes may also be beneficial to lower back health. Care should be taken to avoid injury to the lower back when targeting spinal erectors directly. Exercises include, but are not limited to:
*
Bent-over row
*
Deadlift
*
Hyperextension
*
Good-morning
*
Pull-up (exercise)
*
Rowing
*
Squat
*
Utkatasana
*
Bridge (exercise)
*
Plank (exercise)
*
Push-up
The push-up (press-up in British English) is a common calisthenics Physical exercise, exercise beginning from the prone position. By raising and lowering the body using the arms, push-ups exercise the pectoralis major muscle, pectoral muscl ...
Additional images
Image:Gray236.png, Right hip bone. Internal surface.
Image:Gray388.png, Diagram of a transverse section of the posterior abdominal wall, to show the disposition of the lumbodorsal fascia
Image:Gray803.png, The posterior divisions of the sacral nerves
Image:Gray1126.png, Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney
Image:Gray1211.png, Surface anatomy of the back
Image:LumbarTriangle.jpg, Lumbar triangle
References
External links
Video: Erector Spinae Muscle Group (back muscles)* - "Intermediate layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back, deep muscles."
ithaca.edu
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Muscles of the torso
Spine extensors
Medical mnemonics