Upper Extremity Myofascial Chains
Original Editor - Carin Hunter based on the course by Rina Pandya
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Carin Hunter, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton and Robin Tacchetti
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Carin Hunter, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton and Robin Tacchetti
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.[1]
Myofascial chains are important to functional movement, coordination and stability.[2] They can cause pain within the body and structural weakness.[3] By understanding myofascial chains, you can better understand injuries and movement limitations.[4]
In the upper limb there are four myofascial chains[5]:
- Superficial front arm line
- Deep front arm line
- Superficial back arm line
- Deep back arm line
Superficial front arm line[edit | edit source]
.jpg)
- 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]
.jpg)
- 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]
.jpg)
- 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]
.jpg)
- 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 contralateral to external oblique
- Gracilis contralateral to external oblique
- Pes anserine contralateral to external oblique
- Tibial periosteum contralateral to external oblique
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Bordoni B, Myers T. A review of the theoretical fascial models: biotensegrity, fascintegrity, and myofascial chains. Cureus. 2020 Feb;12(2).
- ↑ Kazakos D, Liapis A, Mylonas K, Angelopoulos P, Koubetsos A, Tsepis E, Fousekis K. Treatment of scalene muscles with the Ergon technique can lead to greater improvement in hip abduction range of motion than local hip adductor treatment: a study on deep front line connectivity. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2020;32(11):706-9.
- ↑ Dischiavi SL, Wright AA, Hegedus EJ, Bleakley CM. Biotensegrity and myofascial chains: A global approach to an integrated kinetic chain. Medical hypotheses. 2018 Jan 1;110:90-6.
- ↑ Burk C, Perry J, Lis S, Dischiavi S, Bleakley C. Can myofascial interventions have a remote effect on ROM? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of sport rehabilitation. 2019 Oct 18;29(5):650-6.
- ↑ Wilke J, Krause F. Myofascial chains of the upper limb: a systematic review of anatomical studies. Clinical Anatomy. 2019 Oct;32(7):934-40.
