The posterior or back muscles perform a wide range of functions, including movement of the shoulder, head, and neck and assisting in respiration, posture, and balance. Posterior muscles are split into three groups depending on their physiological location.

Superficial Posterior Muscles

The superficial posterior muscles are associated with movement of the shoulder. As the name suggests, they are the most superficially located of the muscles covering the intermediate and intrinsic layers.

Trapezius – The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and forms a broad flat triangle.

• Attachments – The trapezius originates from the skull and spine of the upper back and neck. It attaches to the clavicle and scapula.
• Actions – The superior region supports the arm and elevates and rotates the scapula, the intermediate region retracts the scapula, and the inferior region rotates and depresses the scapula.

Latissimus Dorsi – The latissimus dorsi originates from the lower back and covers a wide area.

• Attachments – The latissimus dorsi originates from the lower spine and ribs and the upper pelvis and fascia of the deep trunk muscles. The muscle converges into a tendon attaching to the humerus.
• Actions – Extends, adducts, and medially rotates the upper arm.

Levator Scapulae – A small, strap-like muscle that joins the neck to the scapula.

• Attachments – Originates from the side of the spine in the neck and attaches to the scapula.
• Actions – Elevates the scapula.

Rhomboid Major – Sits inferiorly to the levator scapulae.

• Attachments – Originates from the spine in the upper back and attaches to the scapula inferior to the levator scapulae attachment.
• Actions – Retracts and rotates the scapula.

Rhomboid Minor – Sits between the levator scapulae and rhomboid major, with which it is paired in action and function, this retracts and rotates the scapula.

Location of the latissimus dorsi muscle

Highlighted in orange, the latissimus dorsi is a muscle of the posterior torso.

This image depicts the latissimus dorsi in relation to the crest of ilium, first lumbar, lumbar triangle, and trapezius muscle.

Intermediate Posterior Muscles

The intermediate muscles of the posterior contribute to movements of the ribcage during respiration.

Serratus Posterior Superior - The serratus posterior superior is a thin, rectangular-shaped muscle lying below the rhomboid muscles.

• Attachments - Originates from the lower spine and attaches to ribs 2 through 5.
• Actions - Elevates ribs 2 through 5.

Serratus Posterior Inferior - The serratus posterior inferior is a broad muscle lying beneath the latissimus dorsi.

• Attachments - Originates from the spine and attaches to ribs 9 through 12.
• Actions - Depresses ribs 9 through 12.

Intrinsic Posterior Muscles

The intrinsic muscles of the posterior are responsible for maintaining posture and facilitating movement of the head and neck. They are divided into three layers.

Superficial Layer

Two muscles in the superficial layer are responsible for rotation of the head.

Splenius Capitis – This thick rectangular muscle is the most superior of the next muscles.

• Attachments – Originates from the upper spine and attaches to the skull.
• Actions - Rotates and extends the head and neck.

Splenius Cervicis – A small triangular-shaped muscle located immediately below the splenius capitis.

• Attachments - Originates from the spine and attaches several vertebrae higher.
• Actions - Rotates and extends the head and neck.

Location of the splenius muscle.

The splenius capitis is highlighted in orange, with the splenius cervicis directly below

This diagram depicts the splenius capitis in relation to the ligament nuche, occipital bone, levitor scapula, and rhomboideus minor.

Intermediate Layer

Three columnar muscles in the intermediate layer are responsible for flexing and extending the neck as well as maintaining posture. All three originate from a common tendon associated with the pelvis.

Iliocostalis – The most laterally located of the three intermediate muscles.

• Attachments -Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the ribs and lower neck.
• Actions - Extends and controls abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.

Longissimus – Located between the iliocostalis and spinalis muscles, it is the largest of the intermediate layer muscles.

• Attachments - Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the lower ribs, spine, and skull.
• Actions - Extends and controls abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.

Spinalis – The most medially-located and smallest of the three intermediate layer muscles.

• Attachments - Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the upper spine and skull.
• Actions – Extends, flexes, and controls abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.

Deep Layer

Two muscles in the deep layer are responsible for maintenance of posture and rotation of the neck.

Semispinalis - The semispinalis is the most superficial of the deep muscles.

• Attachments - A broad origin on the upper regions of the spine, with each origin attaching several vertebrae higher or to the skull.
• Actions - Extends and rotates the head and maintains posture.

Multifidus - The multifidus is located underneath the semispinalis muscle, and is key in maintaining posture.

• Attachments – A broad origin up the length of the spine, with each origin attaching several vertebrae higher.
• Actions – Maintains posture through the spine.

Location of the multifidus muscle

Highlighted in orange, the multifidus muscle is a muscle of the posterior trunk and lies interior to a majority of muscles

This diagram depicts the multifidus in relation to the sacrum, sacrospinalis, semispinalis, and spinalis dorsi.