This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Spinalis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Spinalis is one of the erector spinae group of spinal muscles. It is the least prominent and most medial of the three groups. Classically, it is divided into three parts according to the area of insertion of its fibres:

  • spinalis capitis
  • spinalis cervicis
  • spinalis thoracis

It arises from the spinous processes in the superior lumbar and inferior thoracic region. It inserts into the spinous processes of the vertebrae at least six levels superiorly.

In concert with the other erector spinae muscles, its unilateral action is to laterally flex the spine; bilaterally, it extends the spine.

It is innervated by the dorsal primary rami of the segmental spinal nerves.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page