The back, also called the dorsum, is the large posterior area of the human body, rising from the top of the buttocks to the back of the neck.
The back the surface of the body opposite from the chest and the abdomen.
The vertebral column runs the length of the back.
The vertebral column creates a central area of recession in the back.
The breadth of the back runs from the shoulders at the top and the pelvis at the bottom.
The central feature of the human back is the vertebral column.
The vertebral column runs the length from the top of the thoracic vertebrae to the bottom of the lumbar vertebrae.
The vertebral column houses the spinal cord in its spinal canal.
The vertebral column allows curvature that gives shape to the back.
The ribcage extends from the spine at the top of the back (T1 vertebra), more than halfway down the length of the back.
Below the ribcage is an area with less protection between the bottom of the ribcage and the hips.
The width of the top of the back is defined by the scapula, the flat bones of the shoulders.
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column.
A Trapezius B Teres major C Teres minor D Latissimus dorsi E Levator scapulae F Rhomboid major
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. A Trapezius B Teres major C Teres minor D Latissimus dorsi E Levator scapulae F Rhomboid major
The muscles of the back can be divided into three distinct groups; a superficial group, an intermediate group and a deep group.
The superficial group, (appendicular group) is primarily associated with movement of the appendicular skeleton.
It is composed of trapezius, latissimus dorsi, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor and levator scapulae.
The superficial group innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves.
The intermediate group is also known as respiratory group as it may serve a respiratory function.
The respiratory group is composed of serratus posterior superior and serratus posterior inferior.
Like the superficial group, it is innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves.
The deep group, (intrinsic group) can be further subdivided into four groups:
Spinotransversales – composed of splenius capitis and splenius cervicis.
Erector spinae – composed of iliocostalis, longissismus and spinalis
Transversospinales – composed of semispinalis, multifidus and rotatores
Segmental muscles – composed of levatores costarum, interspinales and intertransversarii
The deep group is innervated by the posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Organs near the back:
The lungs are within the ribcage, and extend to the back of the ribcage.
The kidneys are situated beneath the muscles in the area below the end of the ribcage, loosely connected to the peritoneum.
The skin of the back is thicker and has fewer nerve endings than the skin on any other part of the torso.
The back tends to have less hair than the chest on men.
The skin of the back is innervated by the dorsal cutaneous branches, as well as the lateral abdominal cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves.
The back provides support for the head and trunk of the body, strength in the trunk of the body, flexibility and movement.
The upper back has the most structural support.
The ribs are attached firmly to each level of the thoracic spine and very limited movement.
The lower back’s lumbar vertebrae allow for flexibility and movement in back bending (extension) and forward bending (flexion).
The lower back’s lumbar vertebrae does not permit twisting.
The back can be a source of pain as it is comprised of interconnecting nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Back pain is the second most common type of pain in adults, with the most common being headaches.
The most common cause of back pain is muscle strain.
Back muscles can usually heal themselves within a couple of weeks.
Other common sources of back pain include disc problems, degenerative disc disease or a lumbar disc herniation, fractures, spondylolisthesis or an osteoporotic fracture, or osteoarthritis.
The part of the back that typically cannot be reached to be scratched is sometimes named acnestis.
Back idioms; “watch ones back, one’s back up against the wall, stab one in the back, got ones back, wet back, strong back, put their back into it”.