Back muscles
The back muscles are the skeletal muscles of the back region . It is one of the most important components of the human musculoskeletal system.
Definition
The back muscles are the skeletal muscles of the back (dorsum). Their function is of great importance for the musculoskeletal system. It supports the human body and enables him to walk upright. In addition, the back muscles provide multidirectional movement. Inside the body, on the other hand, the spinal cord is protected.
The long back muscles act as a counterpart to the straight abdominal muscles. It stretches the spine , which prevents muscular tension. Without this stretching there is a risk of health problems in the back region. For this reason, regular training of the back muscles is very important.
Anatomy
The muscles of the back can be divided into two sections. These are the autochthonous back muscles (musculus erector spinae) and the secondary back muscles, which are also referred to as immigrant back muscles. From a developmental point of view, the autochthonous back muscles formed on the spine, while the secondary back muscles have shifted to the back.
The autochthonous back musculature is also called primary or genuine back musculature. They are subdivided into a lateral and a medial tract. In contrast to the other skeletal muscles, the autochthonous muscles of the back are innervated by the posterior rami, which originate from the spiral nerves . The migrated secondary back muscles are superficial. They create a heterogeneous muscle group. The rami anteriones of the spiral nerves provide innervation for the secondary back muscles. The autochthonous back muscles are located directly on the spine. It is from the thoracic to the pelvic regioncovered by the thoracolumbar fascia. It forms a box that is attached to the spine and surrounds the muscle components.
In the neck area is the fascia nuchae, which performs the same function. The secondary back muscles originate from the bronchial musculature , the shoulder musculature and the musculature of the limbs.
The back muscles include many different muscles. The most important include the rhomboid muscle (Musculus rhomboideus minor et major), the broad back muscle (Musculus latissimus dorsi), the trapezius muscle (Musculus trapezius), the small circular muscle (Musculus teres minor) and the large circular muscle (Musculus teres major).
Other important back muscles are the supraspinatus muscle, the infraspinatus muscle and the long back extensor muscles (erector spinae muscle).
Function
The back muscles ensure the stability of the back. For this purpose, two extensive muscle strands on the right and left side of the spine extend from the head towards the pelvis. The autochthonous back muscles are responsible for maintaining the spine.
The muscles create an effective tension system, which is very complex. There are a variety of starting points on the muscles. For example, at each spinous process of the vertebral bodies there is a connection to several transverse processes. On the other hand, there is a connection between the transverse processes and several spinous processes through muscle pulls.
The deep muscles of the back are involved in all spinal movements. This includes bending to the side or backwards. The same applies to turns to the right or to the left. The movement signals for the back muscles come from the branches of the spiral nerves, which in turn come from the spinal cord.
The spine is connected to the chest via the core muscles . In contrast to the deep muscles, the trunk muscles can also be specifically trained.
Diseases
- lumbar syndrome
- incorrect loading
- bad posture
Since the human back muscles are under a lot of strain, complaints about them are not uncommon. Sitting for a long time can cause the back muscles to relax, which in turn leads to tension or unpleasant pain. Back pain is one of the most common complaints, especially in western industrialized countries. The reason for the problems of the back muscles is the decrease in movement and insufficient muscle training.
The back muscles can also be affected by signs of wear and tear on joints and bones or by herniated discs. Lifting heavy loads or accidents can also trigger problems in the back muscles.
Likewise, incorrect strain, physical stress or psychological problems have negative effects on the muscles of the back. Their elasticity can suffer from incorrect loads, which in turn leads to hardening and pain. It is not uncommon for tension to shift from the cervical spine or the shoulders through the back muscles to the lower section of the spine.
In order to avoid complaints in the back muscles, regular training is considered sensible. It should be alternated with training the abdominal muscles, as this relieves the spine. In this way, a premature breakdown of the back muscles due to lack of exercise can be prevented. Due to the large number of muscles, complex training is recommended.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.