Upper Extremity Myofascial Chains
Introduction[edit | edit source]
A myofascial chain is a line of connective tissue that runs throughout the body. There is a posterior (back) line, an anterior (front) line, a spiral line, and a lateral line. These lines help the body to move as a unit.
Myofascial chains are important to functional movement, coordination and stability. They can cause pain within the body and structural weakness. By understanding myofascial chains, you can better understand injuries and movement limitations.
In the upper limb there are four myofascial chains:
- Superficial front arm line
- Deep front arm line
- Superficial back arm line
- Deep back arm line
Superficial front arm line[edit | edit source]
- Medial ⅓ clavicle, coastal cartilage
- Pectoralis major, Lattissimus dorsi
- Medial humeral line
- Medial intermuscular septum
- Medial humeral epicondyle
- Flexor group
- Carpal tunnel
- Palmar surface of the fingers
Deep front arm line[edit | edit source]
- 3rd, 4th and 5th ribs
- Pectoralis minor
- Coracoid process
- Biceps brachii
- Radial tuberosity
- Anterior border of radial periosteum
- Styloid process of radius
- Radial collateral ligaments and thenar muscles
- Scaphoid and trapezuim
- Outside of the thumb
Superficial back arm line[edit | edit source]
- Occipital ridge
- Nuchal ligament
- Thoracic spinous process
- Trapezius
- Spine of scapula, acromion, lateral third of clavicle
- Deltoid
- Deltoid tubercle of humerus
- Lateral intramuscular septum
- Lateral epicondyle of humerus
- Extensor group
- Dorsal surface of fingers
Deep back arm line[edit | edit source]
- Spinous process of lower cervicals and upper thoracic, C1-4 transverse processes
- Rhomboids and levator scapula
- Medial border of scapula
- Rotator cuff muscles
- Head of humerus
- Triceps trachii
- Olecranon of ulna
- Fascia along ulnar periosteum
- Styloid process of ulna
- Ulnar collateral ligaments
- Triquetrum, hamate
- Hypothenar muscles
- Outside of little finger
Stabilisation Tracts[edit | edit source]
1. Back arm line[edit | edit source]
- Latissimus dorsi
- Thoracolumbar fascia
- Sacral fascia contralateral to thoracolumbar fascia
- Gluteus max contralateral to thoracolumbar fascia
- Vastus lateralis
2. Front arm line[edit | edit source]
- Pectoralis major
- External oblique
- Adductor longus (opposite side of external oblique)
- Gracilis
- Pes anserine
- Tibial periosteum