Structures

Trunk (thorax, abdomen, back)

Bones (ribs, spine, sternum, clavicle, scapula, pelvis) and the complete trunk musculature: back extensors (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis), multifidus, rotatores, semispinalis, splenius, abdominal wall (rectus abdominis, transversus, both obliques), all three intercostal layers, diaphragm, and the thoracolumbar fascia in separate layers.

71 entries

• Anterior Cervical IntertransversariiUnilaterally: lateral flexion of the cervical spine. Bilaterally: stabilization between the vertebral segmentsMusculi intertransversarii anteriores cervicis
• Anterior Leaf of the Rectus SheathEnvelops the anterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle and transmits the pulling forces of the flat…Vagina musculi recti abdominis, lamina anterior
• Anulus fibrosus of lumbar intervertebral discs (L1–S1)Bears high axial loads, retains hydrostatic pressure of nucleus pulposus, and limits excessive lumbar rotationAnulus fibrosus disci intervertebralis (pars lumbalis)
• Articular cartilage of cervical vertebrae (C1–C7)Facilitates low-friction gliding for head and neck rotation, flexion, and lateral bendingCartilagines articulares vertebrarum cervicalium
• Articular cartilage of costovertebral joints (Rib head & Tubercle I–XII)Enables smooth bucket-handle and pump-handle rib movements during respirationCartilagines articulares costovertebrales
• Articular cartilage of lumbar vertebrae (L1–L5)Bears heavy compressive loads in lumbar extension and locks rotation to protect discsCartilagines articulares vertebrarum lumbalium
• Articular cartilage of sacral processes (L5–S1 lumbosacral joint)Resists anterior shear stress at the lumbosacral junction (L5-S1)Cartilagines articulares ossis sacri
• Articular cartilage of thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12)Facilitates smooth thoracic rotation while resisting anterior displacementCartilagines articulares vertebrarum thoracicarum
• BreastboneProtects heart, mediastinal great vessels, and lungs; anchors the anterior thoracic cageSternum
• Cervical vertebrae (C1–C7)Supports the head, protects cervical spinal cord and vertebral arteries running through transverse foraminaVertebrae cervicales (C1–C7)
• Clavipectoral FasciaEnvelops and fixes the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles, and forms a passage for vessels, nerves, and…Fascia clavipectoralis
• DiaphragmPrimary muscle of respiration: contraction flattens the dome and increases thoracic volume (inspiration)Diaphragma
• Endothoracic FasciaAllows the parietal pleura to glide relative to the thoracic wall and forms the plane along which the pleura…Fascia endothoracica
• External Intercostal MusclesElevation of the ribs during inspirationMusculi intercostales externi
• External ObliqueFlexion and rotation of the trunk (to the opposite side), compression of the abdominal contentsMusculus obliquus externus abdominis
• Iliocostalis Cervicis (Neck Part)Extension and, unilaterally, lateral flexion of the cervical spineMusculus iliocostalis cervicis
• Iliocostalis Lumborum (Lumbar Part)Extension and, unilaterally, lateral flexion of the lumbar spineMusculus iliocostalis lumborum
• Iliocostalis Thoracis (Thoracic Part)Extension and, unilaterally, lateral flexion of the thoracic spineMusculus iliocostalis thoracis
• Iliopsoas FasciaEnvelops the iliopsoas muscle, delimits the compartment within which a psoas abscess or hemorrhage can…Fascia iliopsoatica
• Innermost Intercostal MusclesAssists the internal intercostals in expiration; stabilizes the intercostal spaceMusculi intercostales intimi
• Internal Intercostal MusclesDepression of the ribs, active mainly during forced expirationMusculi intercostales interni
• Internal ObliqueFlexion and rotation of the trunk (to the same side), compression of the abdominal contentsMusculus obliquus internus abdominis
• Interspinales CervicisExtension and segmental stabilization of the cervical spineMusculi interspinales cervicis
• Interspinales LumborumExtension and segmental stabilization of the lumbar spineMusculi interspinales lumborum
• Interspinales ThoracisSegmental stabilization of the thoracic spineMusculi interspinales thoracis
• Interspinous ligamentsLimits excessive hyperflexion of the spine; stabilizes adjacent spinous processesLigamenta interspinalia
• Intertransverse ligamentsLimits contralateral lateral flexion and provides rotational stabilityLigamenta intertransversaria
• Intertransverse ligamentsCheck lateral flexion to the opposite side and so limit sideways movement per segment.Ligamenta intertransversaria
• Lateral Intertransversarii LumborumUnilaterally: lateral flexion of the lumbar spine. Bilaterally: segmental stabilizationMusculi intertransversarii laterales lumborum
• Levatores Costarum Breves (Short Costal Levators)Elevation of the ribs; assists inspiration and slight lateral flexion/rotation of the thoracic spineMusculi levatores costarum breves
• Levatores Costarum Longi (Long Costal Levators)Elevation of the ribs; assists inspiration and rotation of the thoracic spineMusculi levatores costarum longi
• Ligamenta flava (Yellow ligaments)Preserves upright posture and assists the vertebral column in returning to neutral after flexion; prevents…Ligamenta flava
• Linea Alba (White Line)Connects the two rectus sheaths in the midline, distributes pulling forces from the broad abdominal muscles…Linea alba
• Longissimus CapitisExtends the head; unilateral contraction produces lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation of head and neckMusculus longissimus capitis
• Longissimus CervicisExtends the cervical spine; unilateral contraction produces lateral flexion to the same sideMusculus longissimus cervicis
• Longissimus ThoracisPrimary extensor of the spine along the entire length of the trunk; unilateral contraction produces lateral…Musculus longissimus thoracis
• Lumbar vertebrae (L1–L5)Bears the entire weight of the upper torso and head; transmits compressive loads to the pelvisVertebrae lumbales (L1–L5)
• Multifidus, Cervical PartSegmental stabilization and fine extension/rotation of the cervical spineMusculus multifidus (pars cervicis)
• Multifidus, lumbar partPrincipal segmental stabilizer of the lumbar spine; controls intersegmental motion during extension and…Musculus multifidus (pars lumborum)
• Multifidus, thoracic partSegmental stabilization and slight extension/rotation of the thoracic spineMusculus multifidus (pars thoracis)
• Nucleus pulposus (Intervertebral disc core)Acts as a hydraulic ball bearing and shock absorber, converting vertical axial load into radial hoop stress…Nucleus pulposus disci intervertebralis
• Posterior Cervical IntertransversariiUnilaterally: lateral flexion of the cervical spine. Bilaterally: segmental stabilizationMusculi intertransversarii posteriores cervicis
• Posterior Leaf of the Rectus SheathEnvelops the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle in the upper part of the abdominal wallVagina musculi recti abdominis, lamina posterior
• PyramidalisTenses the linea albaMusculus pyramidalis
• Quadratus LumborumLateral flexion of the trunk; fixes the 12th rib during deep inspiration and expiration (e.g. coughing)Musculus quadratus lumborum
• Rectus AbdominisFlexion of the trunk (spine); compresses the abdominal contents, raises intra-abdominal pressure during…Musculus rectus abdominis
• Ribs and costal cartilages (I–XII)Enclose and protect thoracic organs (lungs, heart); expand thoracic cavity during respirationCostae et cartilagines costales (I–XII)
• Rotatores BrevesFine segmental rotation and, above all, proprioceptive control of the spineMusculi rotatores breves
• Rotatores LongiSegmental rotation and stabilization of the spine over a greater range than the short rotatoresMusculi rotatores longi
• SacrumKeystone of the pelvic ring; transmits axial spinal load through SI joints to the lower limbsOs sacrum
• Semispinalis CervicisExtends the cervical spine; contralateral rotation on unilateral contractionMusculus semispinalis cervicis
• Semispinalis ThoracisExtends the thoracic and lower cervical spine; contralateral rotation on unilateral contractionMusculus semispinalis thoracis
• Serratus Posterior InferiorPulls the lower ribs downward and fixes them during breathing; assists expirationMusculus serratus posterior inferior
• Serratus Posterior SuperiorElevation of the upper ribs; assists inspirationMusculus serratus posterior superior
• Spinalis CapitisExtension of the headMusculus spinalis capitis
• Spinalis CervicisExtension of the cervical spineMusculus spinalis cervicis
• Spinalis ThoracisExtension of the thoracic spine, part of erector spinaeMusculus spinalis thoracis
• Splenius CapitisBilaterally: extension of the head; unilaterally: lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotation of the headMusculus splenius capitis
• Splenius CervicisBilaterally: extension of the cervical spine; unilaterally: lateral flexion and ipsilateral rotationMusculus splenius cervicis
• Sternocostal & sternal articulations (Manubrium, Body, Xiphoid & Linea alba)Provides anterior flexible attachment of the rib cage and anchor for abdominal musclesCartilagines articulares sternocostales et manubriosternales
• SubcostalesAssists expiration, together with the internal intercostal musclesMusculi subcostales
• TailboneProvides posterior anchor for pelvic floor muscles and bears partial weight in sitting positionOs coccygis
• Thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12)Forms dorsal column of thoracic cage; protects thoracic spinal cord and mediastinal organsVertebrae thoracicae (T1–T12)
• Thoracolumbar Fascia, Anterior LayerEnvelops the anterior surface of the quadratus lumborum muscle and forms part of the lateral arcuate…Fascia thoracolumbalis, lamina anterior
• Thoracolumbar Fascia, Cervicothoracic PartEnvelops the back extensors (erector spinae) at the level of the thoracic spine and forms the anatomical link…Fascia thoracolumbalis, pars cervicothoracica
• Thoracolumbar Fascia, Middle LayerTogether with the anterior and posterior layers, forms the osteofibrous canal housing the erector spinae and…Fascia thoracolumbalis, lamina media
• Thoracolumbar Fascia, Posterior LayerServes as an origin aponeurosis for the latissimus dorsi and part of the gluteus maximus, and transmits force…Fascia thoracolumbalis, lamina posterior
• Transversalis FasciaTogether with the parietal peritoneum, forms the innermost boundary of the abdominal cavity and contributes…Fascia transversalis
• Transversus AbdominisCompresses the abdominal contents, raises intra-abdominal pressure, and stabilizes the lumbar spineMusculus transversus abdominis
• Transversus ThoracisPulls the costal cartilages downward; assists forced expirationMusculus transversus thoracis
• Zygapophysial (Facet) JointsGuides and restricts spinal segmental motion planes; bears 15-20% of axial load (up to 40% in hyperextension)Articulationes zygapophysiales (Facetgewrichten)