Name

# Multifidus

Pronunciation

(mul-TI-fe-dus)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Cervical: articular processes of lower cervical vertebrae Thoracic: transverse processes of all thoracic vertebrae Lumbar: mamillary processes of all lumbar vertebrae; tendinous origin of erector spinae; lower portion of back of sacrum; PSIS

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Onto spinous processes of higher vertebrae - spanning 2-4 vertebrae

Action/Relevance

Bilaterally: extends vertebral columnUnilaterally: lateral flexion & rotation to opposite side

Innervation

Segmental supply by dorsal rami of cervical, thoracic & lumbar spinal nerves

Notes

The Multifidus (Multifidus spinę) consists of a number of fleshy and tendinous fasciculi, which fill up the groove on either side of the spinous processes of the vertebrę, from the sacrum to the axis. In the sacral region, these fasciculi arise from the back of the sacrum, as low as the fourth sacral foramen, from the aponeurosis of origin of the Sacrospinalis, from the medial surface of the posterior superior iliac spine, and from the posterior sacroiliac ligaments; in the lumbar region, from all the mamillary processes; in the thoracic region, from all the transverse processes; and in the cervical region, from the articular processes of the lower four vertebrę. Each fasciculus, passing obliquely upward and medialward, is inserted into the whole length of the spinous process of one of the vertebrę above. These fasciculi vary in length: the most superficial, the longest, pass from one vertebra to the third or fourth above; those next in order run from one vertebra to the second or third above; while the deepest connect two contiguous vertebrę.