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Anatomy of Back Muscles

  The muscles of the back can be divided into three groups – superficial, intermediate and deep: Superficial  – associated with movements of the shoulder. Intermediate  – associated with movements of the thoracic cage. Deep  – associated with movements of the vertebral column. The deep muscles develop embryologically in the back, and are thus described as  intrinsic  muscles. The superficial and intermediate muscles do not develop in the back, and are classified as  extrinsic  muscles. This article is about the anatomy of the superficial back muscles – their attachments, innervations and functions. The superficial back muscles are situated underneath the skin and superficial fascia. They originate from the vertebral column and attach to the bones of the shoulder – the clavicle, scapula and humerus. All these muscles are therefore associated with movements of the upper limb. The muscles in this group are the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae and the rhomboids. The trapezius
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shoulder joint Biomechanics


The shoulder joint, also known as the glenohumeral joint, is a highly mobile and complex joint that allows for a wide range of motion in the upper limb. Its biomechanics involve the interaction of multiple structures, including bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Here are some key aspects of shoulder joint biomechanics:

  1. Bones: The shoulder joint consists of the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) and the glenoid cavity of the scapula (shoulder blade). The shallow glenoid cavity provides increased mobility but sacrifices stability.
  2. Ligaments: The shoulder joint is reinforced by several ligaments that help stabilize the joint and prevent excessive movement. The main ligaments include the glenohumeral ligaments (superior, middle, and inferior), coracohumeral ligament, and the transverse humeral ligament.
  3. Muscles: The muscles around the shoulder joint play a crucial role in its biomechanics. The primary muscles involved include the deltoid, rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis), pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, and the muscles of the scapula (such as the trapezius and serratus anterior). These muscles work together to provide stability, control, and movement of the shoulder joint.
  4. Range of motion: The shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, allowing for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and circumduction. This wide range of motion is due to the shallowness of the glenoid cavity, which sacrifices stability.
  5. Rotator cuff: The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that help stabilize the shoulder joint and provide dynamic stability during movement. They work together to keep the head of the humerus centered within the glenoid cavity and assist in initiating and controlling shoulder movements.
  6. Scapulohumeral rhythm: The coordinated movement between the scapula and humerus, known as scapulohumeral rhythm, is essential for normal shoulder function. During certain shoulder movements, such as abduction, the scapula rotates and moves to maintain proper alignment of the joint.
  7. Joint stability: Although the shoulder joint sacrifices stability for mobility, it relies on the interaction of various structures to maintain stability. The ligaments, labrum (a cartilaginous structure that deepens the glenoid cavity), and the surrounding muscles work together to provide stability and prevent dislocations or excessive joint movement.

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Anatomy of Back Muscles

  The muscles of the back can be divided into three groups – superficial, intermediate and deep: Superficial  – associated with movements of the shoulder. Intermediate  – associated with movements of the thoracic cage. Deep  – associated with movements of the vertebral column. The deep muscles develop embryologically in the back, and are thus described as  intrinsic  muscles. The superficial and intermediate muscles do not develop in the back, and are classified as  extrinsic  muscles. This article is about the anatomy of the superficial back muscles – their attachments, innervations and functions. The superficial back muscles are situated underneath the skin and superficial fascia. They originate from the vertebral column and attach to the bones of the shoulder – the clavicle, scapula and humerus. All these muscles are therefore associated with movements of the upper limb. The muscles in this group are the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, levator scapulae and the rhomboids. The trapezius
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