Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 23 November 2023

The interspinales together with the intertranversarii form one group of segmental muscles deep within the back.

The second group of segmental muscles is the levatores costarum muscles.

Origin

  • Short, paired muscles (one each side) attached to the spinous processes of contiguous vertebrae C2-L4

Insertion

  • Spinous processes as described in the origin

Action

  • Proprioceptive functions during movement

Innervation

  • Dorsal rami of spinal nerves

Blood Supply

  • Lumbar arteries
  • Dorsal branches of the posterior intercostal arteries
  • Occipital artery