The human back, also called the dorsum, is the large
posterior area of the
human body
The human body is the structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the life, viabi ...
, rising from the top of the
buttocks to the back of the
neck
The neck is the part of the body on many vertebrates that connects the head with the torso. The neck supports the weight of the head and protects the nerves that carry sensory and motor information from the brain down to the rest of the body. In ...
. It is the
surface of the body opposite from the
chest and the
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso. ...
. The
vertebral column
The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column is the defining characteristic of a vertebrate in which the notochord (a flexible rod of uniform composition) found in all chordata, ...
runs the length of the back and creates a central area of recession. The breadth of the back is created by the
shoulders at the top and the
pelvis
The pelvis (plural pelves or pelvises) is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the thighs (sometimes also called pelvic region), together with its embedded skeleton (sometimes also called bony pelvis, or pelvic skeleton).
The ...
at the bottom.
Back pain is a common medical condition, generally benign in origin.
Structure
The central feature of the human back is the
vertebral column
The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column is the defining characteristic of a vertebrate in which the notochord (a flexible rod of uniform composition) found in all chordata, ...
, specifically the length from the top of the
thoracic vertebrae to the bottom of the
lumbar vertebrae, which houses the
spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone). The backbone encloses the central canal of the spi ...
in its
spinal canal, and which generally has some curvature that gives shape to the back. The ribcage extends from the spine at the top of the back (with the top of the ribcage corresponding to the T1
vertebra
The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic ...
), more than halfway down the length of the back, leaving an area with less protection between the bottom of the ribcage and the hips. The width of the back at the top is defined by the
scapula
The scapula (plural scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on eithe ...
, the broad, flat bones of the shoulders.
Gray204.png, View of the bones of the thorax and shoulders from behind.
Back Muscles.jpg, Posterior view of 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
Gray798-back crop.png, Distribution of cutaneous nerve A cutaneous nerve is a nerve that provides nerve supply to the skin.
Human anatomy
In human anatomy, cutaneous nerves are primarily responsible for providing sensory innervation to the skin. In addition to sympathetic and autonomic afferent (sens ...
s, dorsal aspect. Dorsal and lateral cutaneous branches labeled at center right.
Muscles
The muscles of the back can be divided into three distinct groups; a superficial group, an intermediate group and a deep group.
Superficial group
The superficial group, also known as the appendicular group, is primarily associated with movement of the appendicular skeleton. It is composed of
trapezius
The trapezius is a large paired trapezoid-shaped surface muscle that extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It moves the scapula and supports the ...
,
latissimus dorsi
The latissimus dorsi () is a large, flat muscle on the back that stretches to the sides, behind the arm, and is partly covered by the trapezius on the back near the midline. The word latissimus dorsi (plural: ''latissimi dorsorum'') comes from L ...
,
rhomboid major,
rhomboid minor and
levator scapulae. It is innervated by
anterior rami of spinal nerves, reflecting its embryological origin outside the back.
Intermediate group
The intermediate group is also known as respiratory group as it may serve a respiratory function. It is composed of
serratus posterior superior
The serratus posterior superior muscle is a thin, quadrilateral muscle. It is situated at the upper back part of the thorax, deep to the rhomboid muscles.
Structure
The serratus posterior superior muscle arises by an aponeurosis from the l ...
and
serratus posterior inferior
The serratus posterior inferior muscle, also known as the posterior serratus muscle, is a muscle of the human body.
Structure
The muscle is situated at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar regions. It has an irregularly quadrilateral form, b ...
. Like the superficial group, it is innervated by anterior rami of spinal nerves.
Deep group
The deep group, also known as the intrinsic group due to its embryological origin in the back, can be further subdivided into four groups:
* Spinotransversales - composed of
splenius capitis
The splenius capitis () () is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from the vertebrae in the neck and upper thorax. It is involved in movements such as shaking the head.
Structure
It arises from th ...
and
splenius cervicis.
*
Erector spinae
The erector spinae ( ) or spinal erectors is a set of muscles that straighten and rotate the back. The spinal erectors work together with the glutes (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) to maintain stable posture standing or sittin ...
- composed of
iliocostalis,
longissismus and
spinalis
The spinalis is a portion of the erector spinae, a bundle of muscles and tendons, located nearest to the spine. It is divided into three parts: Spinalis dorsi, spinalis cervicis, and spinalis capitis.
Spinalis dorsi
Spinalis dorsi, the medial co ...
*
Transversospinales - composed of
semispinalis,
multifidus and
rotatores
* Segmental muscles - composed of
levatores costarum
The ''Levatores costarum'' (), twelve in number on either side, are small tendinous and fleshy bundles, which arise from the ends of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical and upper eleven thoracic vertebrae
They pass obliquely downward ...
,
interspinales
The interspinales are short muscle fascicles, found in pairs between the spinous processes of the contiguous vertebrae, one on either side of the interspinal ligament.
* In the cervical region the ''cervical interspinales'' are most distinct, ...
and
intertransversarii
The intertransversarii are small muscles placed between the transverse processes of the vertebrae.
Structure Cervical
In the cervical region they are best developed, consisting of rounded muscular and tendinous fasciculi, and are placed in pairs, ...
The deep group is innervated by the
posterior rami of spinal nerves.
Organs near the back
The
lung
The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and most other animals, including some snails and a small number of fish. In mammals and most other vertebrates, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of t ...
s are within the ribcage, and extend to the back of the ribcage making it possible for them to be listened into through the back. The
kidney
The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blood ...
s are situated beneath the muscles in the area below the end of the ribcage, loosely connected to the
peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesoth ...
. A strike to the lower back can damage the kidneys of the person being hit.
Surface of the back
The
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...
of the human back is thicker and has fewer nerve endings than the skin on any other part of the torso. With some notable exceptions (see, e.g.
George "The Animal" Steele
William James Myers (April 16, 1937 – February 16, 2017), better known by his ring name George "The Animal" Steele, was an American professional wrestler, school teacher, author, and actor. His career lasted from 1967 until 1988, though he mad ...
), it tends to have less hair than the chest on men. The upper-middle back is also the one area of the body which a typical human under normal conditions might be unable to physically touch.
The skin of the back is innervated by the ''dorsal cutaneous
branches'', as well as the ''lateral abdominal cutaneous branches of
intercostal nerves''.
Movement
The intricate anatomy of the back provides support for the head and trunk of the body, strength in the trunk of the body, as well as a great deal of flexibility and movement. The upper back has the most structural support, with the ribs attached firmly to each level of the thoracic spine and very limited movement. The lower back (lumbar vertebrae) allows for flexibility and movement in back bending (extension) and forward bending (flexion). It does not permit twisting.
Clinical significance
Back pain
The back comprises interconnecting nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, all of which can be a source of pain.
Back pain is the second most common type of pain in adults (the most common being headaches). By far the most common cause of back pain is muscle strain. The back muscles can usually heal themselves within a couple of weeks, but the pain can be intense and debilitating. Other common sources of back pain include disc problems, such as
degenerative disc disease or a
lumbar
In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means ''of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum.''
The lumbar region is sometimes referred to as the lower spine, or as an area of the back i ...
disc herniation, many types of fractures, such as
spondylolisthesis or an osteoporotic fracture, or
osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone which affects 1 in 7 adults in the United States. It is believed to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the w ...
.
Society and culture
![Thai tattoo Chiang Mai 2005 058](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Thai_tattoo_Chiang_Mai_2005_058.jpg)
The curvature of the female back is a frequent theme in paintings, because the sensibilities of many cultures permit the back to be shown nude - implying full nudity without actually displaying it. Indeed, the practice of showing explicitness on the lower back has been performed for centuries. Certain articles of clothing, such as the
haltertop
Halterneck is a style of women's clothing strap that runs from the front of the garment around the back of the neck, generally leaving the upper back uncovered. The name comes from livestock halters. The word "halter" derives from the Germanic w ...
and the
backless dress
A backless dress is a style of women’s clothing designed to expose the wearer's human back, back. The back may be either partially exposed with a low cut or fully exposed with the use of strings. A backless dress is most commonly worn on formal ...
, are designed to expose the back in this manner. The lower back is typically exposed frequently by many types of shirts in woman's fashion, and even the more conservative shirts and blouses will reveal the lower back. This happens for a variety of reasons- the lower waist area is a pivot point for the body and lengthens and arches as a person sits or bends. Secondly, woman's fashion typically favors tops that are waist length, allowing the back to be left bare during slight movement, bending or sitting. The back also serves as the largest
canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbags ...
for
body art on the human body. Because of its size and the relative lack of hair, the back presents an ideal canvas on the human body for
lower back tattoo
Tattoos on the lower back became popular in the first decade of the 21st century, and gained a reputation for their erotic appeal. The tattoos were sometimes accentuated by low-rise jeans or crop tops. Their popularity was in part due to the i ...
s, mostly among young women. Indeed, some individuals have
tattoo
A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, and/or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several Process of tatt ...
s that cover the entirety of the back. Others have smaller tattoos at significant locations, such as the shoulder blade or the bottom of the back.
Many
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
s mention the back, usually highlighting it as an area of vulnerability; one must "watch one's back", or one may end up "with one's back up against the wall"; worse yet, someone may "stab one in the back", but hopefully a friend "has got one's back". The back is also a symbol of strength and hard work, with those seeking physical labor looking for "strong backs", and workers being implored to "put their back into it".
Historically,
flagellation of a person across the back with a whip was both a common form of
punishment
Punishment, commonly, is the imposition of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome upon a group or individual, meted out by an authority—in contexts ranging from child discipline to criminal law—as a response and deterrent to a particular acti ...
of criminals, and a common means of forcing slaves to work. As well, self-flagellation, as in self punishment, may include the use of whipping oneself. This is one method of mortification, the practice of inflicting physical suffering on oneself with the religious belief that it will serve as penance for one's own sins or those of others. While more moderate forms of mortification are widely practiced—particularly in the Catholic Church—self flagellation is not encouraged by mainstream religions or religious leaders. A well-known instrument used for flagellations is the infamous
Cat 'o Nine Tails
The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to the cat, is a type of multi-tailed whip or flail that originated as an implement for severe physical punishment, notably in the Royal Navy and British Army, and as a judicial punishment in Britain ...
, a nine-corded whip with one handle enabling a much more effective whipping than would be possible with only one lashing at a time.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Back, human
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