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Transverse spinous muscle
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The transverse spinal muscle (m. transversospinalis) is represented by a multitude of layered muscle bundles that pass obliquely upward from the lateral to the medial side from the transverse processes to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. The muscle bundles of the transverse spinal muscle have unequal lengths and, throwing over a different number of vertebrae, form individual muscles: semispinalis, multifidus, and rotator muscles.
Each of the muscles listed is in turn subdivided into individual muscles, named according to their location on the dorsal side of the body, neck, and occipital region of the head. The individual parts of the transverse spinal muscle are considered in the sequence listed.
The semispinalis muscle (m. semispinals) has the appearance of long muscle bundles, it begins on the transverse processes of the underlying vertebrae, passes over 4-6 vertebrae and attaches to the spinous processes of the overlying vertebrae. This muscle is divided into semispinalis muscles of the chest, neck and head.
The semispinalis thoracis muscle originates on the transverse processes of the six lower thoracic vertebrae and is attached to the spinous processes of the four upper thoracic and two lower cervical vertebrae.
The semispinalis cervicis muscle (m. semispinalis cervicis) originates from the transverse processes of the six upper thoracic vertebrae and the articular processes of the four lower cervical vertebrae. The muscle is attached to the spinous processes of the V-II cervical vertebrae.
The semispinalis capitis muscle (m. semispinalis capitis) is wide, thick, and originates on the transverse processes of the six upper thoracic and articular processes of the four lower cervical vertebrae (outward from the long muscles of the head and neck). The muscle is attached to the occipital bone between the upper and lower nuchal lines. The muscle is covered from behind by the splenius and longissimus capitis muscles. Deeper and in front of the semispinalis capitis muscle lies the semispinalis cervicis muscle.
Function: the semispinalis muscles of the chest and neck extend the thoracic and cervical spine, and with a unilateral contraction, turn these sections of the spine in the opposite direction. The semispinalis muscle of the head throws the head back, turning (with a unilateral contraction) the face in the opposite direction.
Innervation: posterior branches of the cervical and thoracic spinal nerves (CIII-ThXII).
Blood supply: posterior intercostal arteries, deep cervical artery.
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