Muscles of the Spine & Thorax: Trail Guide Workbook Questions
Which 3 bony landmarks can help you isolate the borders of the quadratus lumborum?
12th rib Posterior iliac crest TVPs of lumbar vertebrae
What is the primary muscle of respiration?
diaphragm
The Ligamentum Nuchae spans between which 2 bony landmarks?
external occipital protuberance spinous process of C-7
To feel the Ligamentum Nuchae change tension underneath your fingers, what 2 passive movements can you perform at the head?
flexion & extension
As a group, the transversospinalis muscles can be easily located along the _________ of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
lamina groove
Which edge of the quadratus lumborum is accessible from the side of the torso?
lateral edge
What action could you ask your partner to perform to feel the quadratus lumborum contract?
laterally tilt (elevate) the hip
Name 3 large muscles through which you must palpate to access various portions of the intercostals.
latissimus dorsi pectoralis major external oblique.
The Thoracolumbar Aponeurosis serves as an attachment site for which muscles?
latissimus dorsi the branches of the erector spinae group (spinalis, longissimus, iliocostalis)
Rotating the head to the left demands the contraction of which splenius capitis - the left or right?
left
Passive flexion of the spine would __________ the iliocostalis.
lengthen
Passive rotation of the head & neck to the opposite side would __________ the splenius capitis.
lengthen
Passive rotation of the spine to the same side would _______ the multifidi.
lengthen
Passive rotation of the vertebral column to the opposite side would __________ the internal oblique.
lengthen
Passive rotation of the vertebral column to the same side would __________ the external obliques.
lengthen
When is it best to move your fingers as you curl them underneath the rib cage to feel the diaphragm?
only during exhalation
To contract the lower fibers of the erector spinae group in a prone position, you could ask your partner to preform what action?
raise & lower their feet slightly
Which abdominal muscle runs vertically from the rib cage to the pubic crest?
rectus abdominis
Rotating your trunk to the right would engage your left or right internal oblique muscle?
right
To distinguish the trapezius fibers from the splenius capitis fibers, you could ask your partner to perform what action?
rotate their head slightly toward the side you are palpating
Unlike the long, vertical erector fibers, the branches of the transversospinalis group consist of many __________, __________ fibers.
short, diagonal
Compression of the abdominal contents would __________ the transverse abdominis.
shorten
Drawing the ventral part of the ribs upward would __________ the external intercostals.
shorten
Increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity would __________ the diaphragm's fibers.
shorten
Passive extension of the head & neck would __________ the splenius capitis.
shorten
Passive lateral flexion of the head & neck would __________ the splenius cervicis.
shorten
Passive lateral flexion of the spine to the same side would __________ the longissimus.
shorten
Passive rotation of the spine to the opposite side would __________ the rotatores.
shorten
The most medial branch of the erector spinae group is the ______, while the most lateral is the ______.
spinalis, iliocostalis
When the diaphragm muscle fibers contract, what connective tissue structure is pulled inferiorly?
the central tendon
In the lumbar region, the erectors lie deep to what connective tissue structure?
thoracolumbar aponeurosis
When exploring between the scapulae, name the 3 muscles through which you have to palpate to access the deeper erector spinae fibers.
trapezius rhomboids serrates posterior superior
The splenius capitis is a deep muscle except on the lateral side of the neck where it is superficial between which 2 muscles?
trapezius & sternocleidomastoid
You are palpating lateral to the edge of rectus abdominis and the fibers you feel are superficial and running at an angle. Which muscle is this?
External oblique
