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 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.
| Vertebral Muscle Types | Location |
| Forward flexors | Anterior |
| Lateral flexors | Lateral |
| Rotators | Lateral |
| Extensors | Posterior |
It has the fastest contraction rate of all muscles. Before muscle/s contracts, 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 the mitochondria need to maintain a steady supply of adenosine triphosphate.
Table of Contents
| Cervical Muscles | Function | Nerve |
| Sternocleidomastoid | Extends rotates the head and flexes the vertebral column | C2, C3 |
| Scalenus | Flexes and rotates the neck | Lower cervical |
| Spinalis Cervicis | Extends and rotates the head | Middle/lower cervical |
| Spinalis Capitus | Extends and rotates the head | Middle/lower cervical |
| Semispinalis Cervicis | Extends and rotates the vertebral column | Middle/lower cervical |
| Semispinalis Capitus | Rotates the head and pulls backward | C1-C5 |
| Splenius Cervicis | Extends the vertebral column | Middle/lower cervical |
| Longus Colli Cervicis | Flexes the cervical vertebrae | C2-C7 |
| Longus Capitus | Flexes the head | C1-C3 |
| Rectus Capitus Anterior | Flexes the head | C2, C3 |
| Rectus Capitus Lateralis | Bends the head laterally | C2, C3 |
| Iliocostalis Cervicis | Extends the cervical vertebrae | Middle/lower cervical |
| Longissimus Cervicis | Extends the cervical vertebrae | Middle/lower cervical |
| Longissimus Capitus | Rotates the head and pulls backward | Middle/lower cervical |
| Rectus Capitus Posterior Major | Extends and rotates the head | Suboccipital |
| Rectus Capitus Posterior Minor | Extends the head | Suboccipital |
| Obliquus Capitus Inferior | Rotates the atlas | Suboccipital |
| Obliquus Capitus Superior | Extends and bends the head laterally | Suboccipital |
| Thoracic muscles | Function | Nerve |
| Longissimus Thoracis | Extension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column, and rib rotation | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Iliocostalis Thoracis | Extension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column, and rib rotation | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Spinalis Thoracis | Extends the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Semispinalis Thoracis | Extends and rotates the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Rotatores Thoracis | Extends and rotates the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Lumbar muscles | Function | Nerve |
| Psoas Major | Flexes the thigh at the hip joint and the vertebral column | L2, L3, sometimes L1 or L4 |
| Intertransversarii Lateralis | Lateral flexion of the vertebral column | The ventral primary division of the spinal nerves |
| Quadratus Lumborum | Lateral flexion of the vertebral column | T12, L1 |
| Interspinales | Extends the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Intertransversarii Mediales | Lateral flexion of the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Multifidus | Extends and rotates the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Longissimus Lumborum | Extends and rotates the vertebral column | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
| Iliocostalis Lumborum | Extension, lateral flexion of the vertebral column, and rib rotation | Dorsal primary divisions of the spinal nerves |
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 maintaining balance.
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Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on this site and our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
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email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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