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Longest muscle
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The longissimus muscle (m. longissimus) is the largest of the three muscles that form the muscle that straightens the spine.
It is located medial to the iliocostalis muscle, between it and the spinalis muscle. The longissimus muscle is divided into the longissimus thoracis, the longissimus neck muscle, and the longissimus capitis.
The longest muscle of the chest (m. longissimus thoracis) has the greatest length, originates on the back surface of the sacrum, the transverse processes of the lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae and is attached to the back surface of the lower nine ribs between their tubercles and angles and to the tops of the transverse processes of all thoracic vertebrae.
The longest muscle of the neck (m. longissimus cervicis) begins with long tendons at the tips of the transverse processes of the upper five thoracic vertebrae and is attached to the posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the VI-II cervical vertebrae.
The longest muscle of the head (m. longissimus capitis) begins with tendon bundles on the transverse processes of the I-III thoracic III-VII cervical vertebrae, and is attached to the posterior surface of the mastoid process of the temporal bone under the tendons of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the splenius capitis muscle.
Functions: the longest muscles of the chest and neck extend the spine and tilt it to their side. The longest muscle of the head extends the head, turns the face to its side.
Innervation: posterior branches of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves (CII-LV).
Blood supply: lumbar, posterior intercostal arteries, deep cervical artery.
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