Medical expert of the article
New publications
Rotator muscles of the neck, chest and lower back
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The rotator muscles of the neck, chest and lower back (mm. rotatores cervicis, thoracis et lumborum) are located in the deepest layer of the back muscles, in the groove between the spinous and transverse processes. These muscles are best expressed within the thoracic spine. According to the length of the bundles, they are divided into long and short. The long rotator muscles begin on the transverse processes and attach to the bases of the spinous processes of the overlying vertebrae, crossing over one vertebra. The short rotator muscles are located between adjacent vertebrae.
Function: rotates the spinal column around its longitudinal axis.
Innervation: posterior branches of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spinal nerves.
Blood supply: lumbar and posterior intercostal arteries, deep cervical artery.
[ 1 ]
What do need to examine?
How to examine?