ArticlesAnatomySpine and backBackMultifidus muscle

ArticlesAnatomySpine and backBackMultifidus muscle

Multifidus muscle

Author: Niamh Gorman, MSc • Reviewer: Jana Vasković, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 6 minutes

Multifidus is a group of short, triangular muscles that along with the semispinalis and rotatores comprises the transversospinal group of deep back muscles. They are the thickest muscles in the transversospinal group, and are shorter than semispinalis, but longer than rotatores. Multifidus is found on either side of vertebral column, extending from the cervical all the way to the lumbar spine. The group is regionally divided into cervical multifidus, thoracic multifidus and lumbar multifidus.

Each multifidus muscle bridges over three to six vertebral levels, spanning between the transverse and spinous processes of certain cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Although small, multifidus muscles aid several movements of vertebral column; when contracting bilaterally they extend the spine, while unilateral contraction aids lateral flexion of the spine to the same side and rotation of the spine to the opposite side.

Key facts about the multifidus muscle
Origin	Multifidus cervicis: Superior articular processes of vertebrae C4-C7 Multifidus thoracis: Transverse process of thoracic vertebra Multifidus lumborum: Mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae, posterior aspect of sacrum, posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) of ilium and posterior sacroiliac ligament
Insertion	Lateral aspect and tips of the spinous processes of vertebrae 2-5 levels above origin
Action	Bilateral contraction: Extension of spine Unilateral contraction: Lateral flexion of spine (ipsilateral), rotation of spine (contralateral)
Innervation	Medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves
Blood supply	Vertebral artery, deep cervical artery, occipital artery, posterior intercostal arteries, subcostal artery, lumbar ateries and lateral sacral arteries

This article will outline the anatomy and function of multifidus muscle.

Contents

Origin and insertion
Relations
Innervation
Blood supply
Function
Sources

+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Cervical multifidus muscles arise from the superior articular processes of C4 – C7. They extend superomedially to insert on the lateral aspect and the tips of the spinous processes of C2 – C5 vertebrae. Thoracic multifidus originate from the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae. The fibers also take a superomedial course to insert variably on the spinous processes of the vertebrae 2 – 5 levels above their origin.

Fibers of lumbar multifidus arise from the mammillary processes of lumbar vertebrae and the posterior surface of sacrum. In addition, some fibers also arise from the posterior superior iliac spine of ilium and the posterior sacroiliac ligament. They travel superiorly to insert on the lateral surface and apices of spinous processes 2 to 5 levels above their origin.

Relations

As part of the transversospinal muscle group, multifidus is located in the third or deep layer of deep muscles of the back. It lies deep to erector spinae, semispinalis cervicis and thoracis, while it is located superficial to rotatores muscles.

Running through the groove between the spinous and transverse processes of vertebrae, multifidus overlies the laminae of cervical and thoracic vertebrae and the posterior surface of sacrum.

Innervation

Multifidus is innervated by the medial branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves in the corresponding cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions.

There are a lot of back muscles! Learn and review them easily and efficiently using Kenhub's muscle anatomy and reference charts!

Blood supply

Multifidus receives arterial blood supply from a number of arteries along the length of the vertebral column. These are as follows:

Cervical region: vertebral, deep cervical and occipital arteries
Thoracic region: dorsal branches of posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries
Lumbar region: lumbar and lateral sacral arteries

Except for the occipital artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery, the source of the arteries that supply cervical multifidus is subclavian artery. The arteries in the thoracic and lumbar regions are direct branches of the aorta.

For even more anatomy about the deep muscles of the back, including the multifidus, check out the videos, illustrations and quizzes included below:

Function

Bilateral contraction of multifidus produces extension of the vertebral column at all levels. When the muscles contract unilaterally, they produce ipsilateral lateral flexion and contralateral rotation of the vertebral column. Adapting their length to stabilize the vertebrae, multifidus muscle function as extensible ligaments that stabilize the vertebral column.

Don't forget to quiz yourself on the multifidus and other deep muscles of the back to consolidate your knowledge!

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Drake, R., A.W. Vogl, A.W., Mitchell, A.W. M. (2015). Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 3rd Edition, Churchill Livingston Elsevier
Moore, K.L., Agur, A.M.R., Dalley, A.F. (2015). Essential Clinical Anatomy, 5th Edition, Wolters Kluwer
Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy, 6th Edition, Elsevier Saunders
Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Standring, S. (2008). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 14th Edition, Churchill Livingston Elsevier

Illustrators:

Multifidus muscle (Musculi multifidi) - Yousun Koh

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