The Spinal Muscles: An Extensive Guide

The spinal muscles and ligaments work in conjunction to help support the spine, maintain an upright posture, and control movements during activity and rest. The muscles are named based on shape, location, or a combination. Further categorization factors include muscle functions like flexion, extension, or rotation. Skeletal muscle is a form of striated muscle tissue that is voluntarily controlled by the somatic nervous system. Striated means it is striped in appearance. Most skeletal muscles are attached to bones by collagen fibers known as tendons.

It has the fastest contraction rate of all muscles. Before muscle/s contract, a nerve impulse starts in the brain and runs through the spinal cord to the muscle. For the muscles to contract and work properly they need energy/fuel. Mitochondria produce Adenosine triphosphate chemical cells that are needed for energy. Adenosine triphosphate is made as the mitochondria burn glucose or sugar. The blood vessels deliver the oxygen and nutrients that the mitochondria need to maintain a steady supply of adenosine triphosphate.

The Posterior Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spinal Muscles

1. Semispinalis Capitus – controls the head rotation and backward pulls
2. Iliocostalis Cervicis – extends the cervical vertebrae
3. The Longissimus Cervicus – extends the cervical vertebrae
4. Longissimus Capitus – controls the head’s rotation and backward pulls
5. Longissimus Thoracis – controls the extension/lateral flexion of the vertebral column and rib rotation
6. Iliocostalis Thoracis – controls the extension/lateral flexion of the vertebral column and rib rotation
7. Semispinalis Thoracis – extends and rotates the vertebral column
   

Muscles of the Spinal Column

Cervical muscles

Thoracic Muscles

Lumbar muscles

Muscle Fascia Fibrous Tissue

• Fascia is the thickened connective tissue that surrounds a muscle or muscle group. Superficial fascia is directly under the skin.
• Epimysium surrounds the skeletal muscle.
• Perimysium is the sheath that groups the muscle fibers into bundles.
• Endomysium is another type of connective tissue that sheaths each muscle fiber.

The cause of back pain and spinal muscle spasm/s can be caused by overuse, automobile accident, personal, work, or sports injury. The root cause of muscle spasm/s is usually a consequence of an injury to a structure within the lumbar spine. If there have been one or more episodes of muscle spasm in the low back, chances are it will re-occur. The muscles in the low back work together with the abdominal muscles. The spinal muscles add stability by maintaining an erect spine and maintain balance.

Back Pain Specialist

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