CoursesAnatomySpine and backBackNeurovasculature of the back

CoursesAnatomySpine and backBackNeurovasculature of the back

Neurovasculature of the back

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

Identify the main arteries of the back and neck and their branches.
Describe the venous drainage of the back and neck.
Name the main nerves of the back and neck.

Watch video

The back is a region on the posterior surface of the trunk which extends from the inferior border of the neck to the gluteal region. The layers of the back comprise the skin, subcutaneous tissue, superficial and deep back muscles, the posterior portion of the ribs, and the vertebral column housing the spinal cord and surrounding meninges. The back plays an important role in stabilizing and enabling movements of the trunk, upper limbs and head.

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.

Learn more about the neurovascular supply of the back and posterior neck in the video below.

Take a quiz

Solidify your knowledge by taking the following quiz.

For a broader topic focus, try out this fully customizable quiz:

Browse atlas

Explore each of the structures you learned about today in the gallery below.

Summary

Key points about the arteries of the back and neck
Occipital artery	Back of scalp, sternocleidomastoid muscle, deep muscles of back and neck
Deep cervical artery	Deep muscles of neck
Transverse cervical artery	Trapezius muscle, sternocleidomastoid muscle
Posterior intercostal arteries	Muscles and skin of the thoracic region
Subcostal artery	Subcostal region
Lumbar arteries	Muscles and skin in lumbar region

Key points about the motor innervation of the back and dorsal neck
Superficial (extrinsic) muscles of back	All muscles innervated by branches of cervical/brachial plexus or intercostal nerves except for the trapezius muscle (accessory nerve [CN XI])
Deep (intrinsic) muscles of back	Almost all muscles innervated by posterior rami of cervical/thoracic/lumbar spinal nerves
Suboccipital muscles	Suboccipital nerve (C1)

Key points about the cutaneous innervation of the back and dorsal neck
Cervical region	Posterior rami of spinal nerves C2-C4/5, greater/lesser/third occipital nerves (C2-C3)
Thoracic region	Posterior rami of spinal nerves T2-T12, lateral cutaneous branches of 2nd-11th intercostal nerves/subcostal nerve
Lumbar region	Posterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L2/3

Well done!

Related articles

Continue your learning

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!