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Functional
Anatomy
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THE SPINE

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THE BACK MUSCLES

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PART 3

FLIP CARDS

Use these flip cards as a tool to test your understanding and reinforce what you’ve learned.
Happy studying!

What are the extrinsic muscles of the back?

Answer

The extrinsic muscles of the back are involved in upper limb movements, respiration, and stabilization of the thoracic region. These muscles include the superficial and intermediate layers.

What is the function of the superficial extrinsic muscles?

Answer

These muscles are responsible for mobility and stabilization of the shoulder girdle, neck movement, postural support, and contributing to respiration.

What muscles are in the superficial extrinsic back muscles?

Answer

The superficial muscles include the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major and minor, and levator scapulae.

What is the function of the intermediate layer of extrinsic muscles?

Answer

The intermediate layer stabilizes the thoracic cage and assists in respiration, helping to elevate and depress the ribs for breathing.

What is the role of the serratus posterior superior muscle?

Answer

The serratus posterior superior elevates the upper ribs during inhalation, aiding in lung expansion and stabilizing the thoracic spine.

What is the role of the serratus posterior inferior muscle?

Answer

The serratus posterior inferior depresses the lower ribs during exhalation, facilitating forced expiration, and stabilizes the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine.

What is the primary role of the trapezius muscle in scapular movement?

Answer

The trapezius stabilizes and positions the scapula, enabling movements like elevation, depression, retraction, and upward rotation.

How does the trapezius contribute to scapulohumeral rhythm?

Answer

It collaborates with the serratus anterior to optimize scapular positioning, ensuring smooth arm movement and allowing the arm to elevate above shoulder level.

What postural roles does the trapezius muscle perform?

Answer

It helps maintain an upright spine by supporting spinal stability and alignment, especially when standing.

How do the three parts of the trapezius function differently?

Answer

Superior fibers elevate the scapula and assist in head and neck movements. Middle fibers retract the scapula and stabilize it. Inferior fibers depress the medial scapula and assist in upward rotation.

What are the primary movements of the latissimus dorsi at the shoulder joint?

Answer

It performs adduction, extension, internal rotation, and depression of the arm.

How does the latissimus dorsi assist in trunk movement?

Answer

When the arms are fixed overhead, it helps move the trunk forward and upward, aiding in climbing, chin-ups, rowing, and swimming.

How does the latissimus dorsi contribute to core stabilization?

Answer

It maintains pelvic alignment and supports the spine during lifting and twisting movements.

What role does the latissimus dorsi play in respiration?

Answer

Deep inspiration: The posterior fibers expand the rib cage. Forced expiration: The anterior fibers compress the rib cage, aiding in coughing or sneezing.

How do the rhomboids contribute to scapular movement?

Answer

They retract the scapula, elevate it, and rotate the glenoid cavity inferiorly to support proper shoulder mechanics.

What role do the rhomboids play in posture?

Answer

They stabilize the scapula, prevent excessive protraction, and help maintain correct posture while sitting, standing, and walking.

How does the levator scapulae contribute to scapular and cervical movements?

Answer

Elevates and stabilizes the scapula. Rotates the glenoid cavity inferiorly. Unilateral contraction: Produces ipsilateral neck flexion. Bilateral contraction: Extends the neck.
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