Muscles / Back
Multifidus
- Back
- Back & spine
- Deep layer
Also called lumbar multifidus, LM.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Posterior sacrum, posterior superior iliac spine region, mammillary processes of the lumbar vertebrae, transverse processes of T1-T3, articular processes of C4-C7
- Insertion
- Spinous processes 2-4 segments above
- Nerve
- Medial branches of the posterior rami of spinal nerves
Actions
- Stabilises spinal segments
- Extends the spine segmentally
- Contributes to rotation to the opposite side
Exercises that train it most
Also trained by
Notes
- Atrophy and fat infiltration of lumbar multifidus are reported in low back pain.
- Back bridge variations produced the highest multifidus activity in a fine-wire EMG study.
References (5)
- Okubo Y, Kaneoka K, Imai A, et al. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(11):743-750. Electromyographic analysis of transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus using wire electrodes during lumbar stabilization exercises
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e