society and community | March 05, 2026

What is the superficial muscle of the back?

What is the superficial muscle of the back?

The superficial back muscles are the muscles found just under the skin. Within this group of back muscles you will find the latissimus dorsi, the trapezius, levator scapulae and the rhomboids.

What are the superficial and deep muscles of the back?

There are three major groups of back muscles: Superficial: attached to the shoulder girdle. Intermediate: attached to the posterior thorax. Deep: attached to the vertebral column….The muscles of this group include:

  • Trapezius.
  • Latissimus dorsi.
  • Levator scapulae.
  • Rhomboid major and rhomboid minor.

What is the top of the back called?

thoracic spine
The upper back is called the thoracic spine, and it is the most stable part of the spine. The range of motion in the upper back is limited because of the spine’s attachments to the ribs (rib cage). Think of your spine as a tree trunk. It keeps you standing upright.

What are superficial muscles?

Superficial muscles are close to the surface of the skin. Muscles which lie closer to bone or internal organs are called deep muscles.

How many superficial muscles are in your back?

The superficial back muscles consist of the trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and latissimus dorsi muscles (Figure 1-1A; Table 1-1).

What Innervates superficial back muscles?

Nerves

  • Brachial Plexus.
  • Axillary Nerve.
  • Musculocutaneous Nerve.
  • Median Nerve.
  • Radial Nerve.
  • Ulnar Nerve.

How many superficial muscles are in the body?

There are around 650 skeletal muscles within the typical human body. Almost every muscle constitutes one part of a pair of identical bilateral muscles, found on both sides, resulting in approximately 320 pairs of muscles, as presented in this article.

What is superficial muscle?