Quick Facts
Origin: Transverse processes of T6-T11 vertebrae.
Insertion: Spinous process of C6-T4 vertebrae.
Action: Extends and rotates the trunk.
Innervation: Medial branches of posterior rami of thoracic nerves.
Arterial Supply: Dorsal branches of posterior intercostal arteries.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The semispinalis thoracis muscle originates from the transverse processes of the sixth to eleventh thoracic vertebrae. There can be variations between individuals regarding the origin sites for the semispinalis muscles (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).
Insertion
The fibers of the semispinalis thoracis muscle travel superiorly along the upper back regions and insert onto the spinous processes of the sixth cervical to fourth thoracic vertebrae. There can be variations between individuals regarding the insertion sites for the semispinalis muscles (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
Overall, the semispinalis muscles are the more superficial of the three muscles of the transversospinal muscles. They are intrinsic muscles of the back and are found along the upper back and posterior neck regions. They are long, flat skeletal muscles that are composed of three parts:
- semispinalis capitis, which is the superior portion;
- semispinalis colli, which is the middle portion;
- semispinalis thoracis, which is the large, inferior portion.
The semispinalis muscles are located:
- superficial to the suboccipital and multifidus muscles;
- deep to the trapezius, splenius capitis, splenius colli, and erector spinae muscles;
- medial to the levatores costarum breves and longi muscles;
- lateral to the interspinales muscles.
Actions
The semispinalis thoracis muscle is involved in multiple actions:
- during unilateral contraction, it rotates the trunk to the opposite side;
- during bilateral contraction, it extends the trunk (Netter, 2011).
References
Netter, F. H. (2011) Atlas of Human Anatomy. Netter Basic Science Series: Saunders/Elsevier.
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Semispinalis Capitis
The semispinalis capitis, which is the largest and most prominent of the posterior neck muscles, arises from the transverse process of the upper thoracic spines and is inserted into the occiput below the superior nuchal line.
