Back

Regions of the back

The back and the buttocks comprise the posterior aspect of the trunk. Like the rest of the body, the back and the buttocks are divided into several regions, which help clinicians localize, describe and communicate various diseases and injuries clearly and accurately.

The regions of the back are the suprascapular, scapular, interscapular, infrascapular, vertebral, lateral pectoral, lumbar and sacral regions.

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Vertebral column

The vertebral column (spine) is composed of 33-35 vertebrae, of which 24 are separated by intervertebral discs. The remaining vertebrae are usually fused to form two distinct bones: the sacrum and the coccyx. The vertebral column is divided into five regions, from superior to inferior: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.

The vertebrae articulate with each other by connecting their bodies and arches via intervertebral joints. These joints are present throughout the entire spine, while some regions have specific types of joints, such as the thoracic spine with the ribs.

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Superficial muscles of the back

The superficial muscles of the back are located beneath the skin and superficial fascia of the back and extend between the vertebral column and bones of the pectoral girdle and arm.

Their principal function is to support and move the upper limb through movement of the scapula and humerus.

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Deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back

The deep (intrinsic) muscles of the back extend along the length of either side of the vertebral column, deep to the thoracolumbar fascia, all the way from the skull to the pelvis.

Their main functions include maintaining the body posture as well as facilitating the movements of the vertebral column.

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Neurovasculature of the back

The structures of the back are supplied by several important arteries, veins, and nerves. The arterial supply arises from several main sources: directly from the aorta for much of the posterior thorax and abdomen, or via the subclavian arteries in the neck and scapular regions.

The veins of the back and neck mainly drain into the brachiocephalic veins, azygos venous system, and inferior vena cava. The nervous supply mainly arises from the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves.

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Related articles

Articles within this topic:

• Anterior intertransversarii colli muscles
• Deep back muscles
• Erector spinae muscles
• Iliocostalis muscle
• Interspinales muscles
• Intertransversarii lumborum muscles
• Latissimus dorsi muscle
• Levatores costarum muscles
• Levator scapulae muscle
• Longissimus muscle
• Multifidus muscle
• Obliquus capitis inferior muscle
• Obliquus capitis superior muscle
• Overview of the back muscles
• Posterior intertransversarii colli muscles
• Rectus capitis posterior major muscle
• Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
• Rhomboid muscles
• Rotatores muscles
• Semispinalis capitis muscle
• Semispinalis cervicis muscle
• Semispinalis thoracis muscle
• Serratus posterior muscles
• Spinalis muscle
• Splenius capitis muscle
• Splenius cervicis muscle
• Suboccipital triangle
• Thoracolumbar fascia
• Trapezius muscle
• Triangle of auscultation