Posterior Intertransversarii Colli Muscles (Right)
Musculi intertransversarii posteriores colli
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Superior aspects of transverse processes of C2-T1 vertebrae.
Insertion: Inferior aspects of transverse processes of C1-C7 vertebrae.
Action: Assists in lateral flexion of the neck at cervical vertebral joints.
Innervation: Anterior and posterior rami of cervical nerves.
Arterial Supply: Occipital, deep cervical, and vertebral arteries.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The posterior intertransversarii colli muscles originate from the:
- superior aspects of the posterior tubercles of transverse processes of the axis (second cervical vertebra) to seventh cervical vertebrae;
- superior aspect of the transverse process of first thoracic vertebra.
Insertion
The fibers of the posterior intertransversarii colli muscles travel superiorly to the cervical vertebrae that are located one vertebral segment superior to their origin sites. They insert onto the inferior aspects of the posterior tubercles of transverse processes of the atlas (first cervical vertebra) to seventh cervical vertebrae.
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
Overall, the intertransversarii colli (intertransverse) muscles are the more superior of the three parts of the intertransversarii muscles. They are intrinsic muscles of the back and are found along the posterior neck region.
The intertransversarii colli muscles are composed of many short individual muscles that are classified as belonging to either the:
- anterior intertransversarii colli muscles;
- posterior intertransversarii colli muscles.
With regard to the posterior intertransversarii colli muscles specifically, they are located:
- anterior to the splenius capitis, splenius colli, longissimus capitis, longissimus colli, and iliocostalis colli muscles;
- posterior to the anterior intertransversarii colli and longus capitis muscles, and the anterior rami of cervical nerves;
- medial to the scalenus medius and scalenus posterior muscles.
Actions
The posterior intertransversarii colli muscles assist in lateral flexion of the neck to the same side, at the cervical vertebral joints, during unilateral contraction. They also help stabilize the cervical vertebrae (Moore, Dalley and Agur, 2009). They may also be involved in proprioception (Standring, 2016).
References
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. M. R. (2009) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
