Longissimus

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton and Wendy Snyders  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Longissimus

The longissimus muscle is a long intrinsic muscle of the back and together with spinalis and iliocostalis muscles, comprises the erector spinae group[1]. Longissimus is the longest and thickest muscle of the erector spinae and lies between spinalis and iliocostalis[1]. Longissimus, together with the rest of the erector spinae group, runs along the entire length of the vertebral column[1].It is made of three parts listed below[1][2]:

  1. Longissimus capitis
  2. Longissimus cervicis
  3. Longissimus thoracis.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Back Muscles

Origins[1]:

  • Longissimus capitis: C4-T5 transverse processes
  • Longissimus cervicis: T1-T5 transverse processes
  • Longissimus thoracis (thoracic part): L1-L5 spinous and transverse processes, sacral posterior surface and posterior iliac crest and median sacral crest
  • Longissimus thoracis (lumbar part):Lumbar intermuscular aponeurosis, posterior sacroiliac ligament and medial part of sacropelvic surface of ilium

Insertions[1]:

  • Longissimus capitis: Mastoid process of temporal bone
  • Longissimus cervicis: C2-C6 transverse processes
  • Longissimus thoracis (thoracic part): T1-T12 transverse processes and the angles of ribs 7-12
  • Longissimus thoracis (lumbar part): L1-L5 accessory and transverse processes

Action (entire muscle)[1][3]:

  • Extension of the spine when acting bilaterally
  • Ipsilateral lateral flexion of the spine when acting unilaterally

Innervation[1][3]:

Lateral branches of posterior rami of spinal nerves.

Blood supply[1]:

  • Longissimus capitis and cervicis: vertebral artery, transverse cervical artery, deep cervical artery and occipital artery
  • Longissimus thoracis: posterior intercostal, subcostal, superior intercostal, lateral sacral and median sacral arteries

Relations

  1. Longissimus is found on either sides of the vertebral bodies, running superficial to the transversospinalis and spinalis thoracis muscles.
  2. Longissimus is located deep to the splenius capitis, splenius colli, iliocostalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum muscles, and erector spinae aponeurosis.

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Muscles back, neurodynamic stabilisers

Longissimus is a global stabilizer of the back. In their ability to control movement and provide stability, muscles must be seen not as isolated structures, but as part of a chain including ligaments, joints and their capsules, and an intricate neurologic feedback mechanism to coordinate system efficiency. We should take this into consideration when assessing back pain.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 MD GS. Longissimus muscle [Internet]. Kenhub; 2022 [cited 2023 Sept 15]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/longissimus-muscle
  2. Study.com Longissimus Available:https://study.com/academy/lesson/longissimus-muscle-origin-insertion-function.html (accessed 5.2.2022)
  3. 3.0 3.1 1. Longissimus [Internet]. [cited 2023 Sept 15]. Available from: https://teachmeanatomy.info/encyclopaedia/l/longissimus/