Muscles of the Back

The back is the posterior part of the body. The skeletal and muscular structure of the back is largely responsible for supporting and moving the torso. Additionally, the back contributes to the support and stabilization of the upper extremity and head, enabling their movements to be smooth and purposeful. The bony structures that make up the back include the vertebrae, the proximal parts of the ribs, the upper sections of the pelvic bones, and the posterior basal part of the skull. The muscles associated with this region connect the vertebrae and vertebrae to each other and also to the skull and pelvis. The soft tissues located in the back include the skin, subcutaneous fat tissue, fascia layers, and muscles. Some muscles and fascia not only attach to axial skeletal elements but also to parts of the pectoral and pelvic girdles. While some of the back muscles help us maintain an upright posture, others are responsible for executing fundamental movements. If our back muscles are strong, they can also prevent postural disorders. The muscles of the back develop from the ventral and dorsal parts of the myotomes. The superficial muscles develop from the ventral part of the myotomes and migrate towards the back, and these muscles are called extrinsic muscles. During this migration, they also drag along their blood vessels and nerves. The deep group of back and neck muscles develop from the dorsal part of the myotomes and receive their nerves from the dorsal rami of the corresponding spinal nerves, and these muscles are known as primary back muscles (intrinsic back muscles). The deep back muscles fill the spaces on both sides of the spine and form sequential functional chains, ensuring that the torso remains upright.