Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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Content
0:00 Introduction
0:09 Division of the Superficial Muscles
0:43 Trapezius
2:04 Latissimus Dorsi
2:55 Rhomboid Major
3:13 Rhomboid Minor
3:33 Levator Scapulae
3:58 Serratus Posterior Superior
4:20 Serratus Posterior Inferior
Superficial Muscles of the Back
- Muscles of the 1st Layer
β Trapezius
β Latissimus dorsi
- Muscles of the 2nd Layer
β Rhomboid Major
β Rhomboid Minor
β Levator Scapulae
- Muscles of the 3rd Layer
β Serratus Posterior Superior
β Serratus Posterior Inferior
Trapezius
musculus trapezius
- Superior Part
Origin:
- Superior Nuchal Line
- External Occipital Protuberance
- Nuchal Ligament
Insertion:
- Acromial end of clavicle
- Acromium of Scapula
- Middle Part
β Origin: Spinous Process of C7-T3/T4
β Insertion: Spine and Acromium of Scapula
- Inferior Part
β Origin: Spinous Process of T4-T12
β Insertion: Spine of Scapula
Latissimus dorsi
Musculus latissimus dorsi
- Origin:
Spinous Process of T7-T12
Thoracolumbar Fascia
Iliac Crest
Inferior surface of ribs 9-12
Inferior angle of Scapula
- Insertion: Crest of Lesser Tubercle (Humerus)
Crista tuberculi minoris humeri
Rhomboid Major
musculus rhomboideus major
- Origin: Spinous Process of T1-T4
- Insertion: Lower 2/3 of Medial Border of Scapula
margo medialis scapulae
- Function:
Elevates and retracts the scapula
Internal rotation of the scapula
-
Rhomboid Minor
musculus rhomboideus minor
- Origin: Spinous Process of C6-C7
- Insertion: Upper 1/3 of Medial Border of Scapula
margo medialis scapulae
- Function:
Elevates and retracts the scapula
Internal rotation of the scapula
Levator Scapulae
musculus levator scapulae
- Origin: Spinous Process of C1-C4
- Insertion: Superior Angle of Scapula
angulus superior scapulae
- Function:
Elevates the Scapula
-
Serratus Posterior Superior
Musculus serratus posterior superior
- Origin: Spinous Process of C6-T2
- Insertion: External Surface of 2nd-5th Ribs
- Function:
Elevates the Ribs (Inspiration)
Serratus Posterior Inferior
Musculus serratus posterior inferior
- Origin: Spinous Process of T11-L2
- Insertion: External Surface of 9th-12th Ribs
- Function:
Pulls the ribs downward (expiration)
π Website: taimtalksmed.com
π« Help keep this content free: youtube.com/channel/UCEr7pkSXVsHcBLLBcJAGV-Q/join
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π² Other Links:
Instagram: instagram.com/taimtalksmed
Discord: discord.com/invite/DENMUpS8ey
Content
0:00 Introduction
0:09 Division of the Superficial Muscles
0:43 Trapezius
2:04 Latissimus Dorsi
2:55 Rhomboid Major
3:13 Rhomboid Minor
3:33 Levator Scapulae
3:58 Serratus Posterior Superior
4:20 Serratus Posterior Inferior
Superficial Muscles of the Back
- Muscles of the 1st Layer
β Trapezius
β Latissimus dorsi
- Muscles of the 2nd Layer
β Rhomboid Major
β Rhomboid Minor
β Levator Scapulae
- Muscles of the 3rd Layer
β Serratus Posterior Superior
β Serratus Posterior Inferior
Trapezius
musculus trapezius
- Superior Part
Origin:
- Superior Nuchal Line
- External Occipital Protuberance
- Nuchal Ligament
Insertion:
- Acromial end of clavicle
- Acromium of Scapula
- Middle Part
β Origin: Spinous Process of C7-T3/T4
β Insertion: Spine and Acromium of Scapula
- Inferior Part
β Origin: Spinous Process of T4-T12
β Insertion: Spine of Scapula
Latissimus dorsi
Musculus latissimus dorsi
- Origin:
Spinous Process of T7-T12
Thoracolumbar Fascia
Iliac Crest
Inferior surface of ribs 9-12
Inferior angle of Scapula
- Insertion: Crest of Lesser Tubercle (Humerus)
Crista tuberculi minoris humeri
Rhomboid Major
musculus rhomboideus major
- Origin: Spinous Process of T1-T4
- Insertion: Lower 2/3 of Medial Border of Scapula
margo medialis scapulae
- Function:
Elevates and retracts the scapula
Internal rotation of the scapula
-
Rhomboid Minor
musculus rhomboideus minor
- Origin: Spinous Process of C6-C7
- Insertion: Upper 1/3 of Medial Border of Scapula
margo medialis scapulae
- Function:
Elevates and retracts the scapula
Internal rotation of the scapula
Levator Scapulae
musculus levator scapulae
- Origin: Spinous Process of C1-C4
- Insertion: Superior Angle of Scapula
angulus superior scapulae
- Function:
Elevates the Scapula
-
Serratus Posterior Superior
Musculus serratus posterior superior
- Origin: Spinous Process of C6-T2
- Insertion: External Surface of 2nd-5th Ribs
- Function:
Elevates the Ribs (Inspiration)
Serratus Posterior Inferior
Musculus serratus posterior inferior
- Origin: Spinous Process of T11-L2
- Insertion: External Surface of 9th-12th Ribs
- Function:
Pulls the ribs downward (expiration)









![CN 4: Trochlear Nerve (Scheme, Pathway, Clinical Relevance) | Neuroanatomy
π Website: https://taimtalksmed.com/
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Content:
0:00 Introduction
00:52 Trochlear Nerve Scheme
02:08 Course of the Trochlear Nerve
06:07 Functions of the Superior Oblique
07:55 Trochlear Nerve Palsy
09:32 Recap
Trochlear Nerve Scheme / Overview:
- Trochlea is Latin for Pulley, due to the function of the superior oblique muscle
- Nucleus of the trochlear nerve located in the midbrain, at the level of inferior colliculi
- Emerges from the posterior surface of the midbrain, and turns anteriorly
- Enter and run on the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus
- Enters the orbit via the superior orbital fissure, to innervate the superior oblique
- Exclusively a somatomotor nerve.
Course of the Trochlear Nerve:
- Nucleus of the Trochlear nerve (nuclei nervi trochlearis) is located in the midbrain, at the level of the inferior colliculus (coliculi inferiores)
- Nucleus is located at the same area as the oculomotor nerve nuclei, just a level lower.
- The trochlear nerve crosses to the contralateral side, leaves from the posterior surface of the midbrain, and turns anteriorly.
- Pierces the dura mater, and then runs through the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus.
- Goes through the superior orbital fissure, to innervate the superior oblique.
Functions of the Superior Oblique Muscle:
- Origin: Body of the sphenoid bone medial to the common tendinous ring.
- Runs anteriorly, muscle tendon hooks around the trochlea of the superior oblique
- Then takes a sharp posterior lateral turn
- Insertion; Posterior Superolateral aspect of eyeball (deep to rectus superior, via trochlea orbitae)
- Causes: Abduction, depression, internally rotation of the eyeball
Clinical Relevance:
- Damage to the trochlear nerve can be caused by either congenital or acquired causes.
- When the nerve is damaged, it causes the eye to naturally shift upwards and externally rotate leading to diplopia (double vision)
- To compensate and reduce the diplopia, patients usually get a head tilt and chin tuck.
- Congenital: Malformations of nucleus or nerve
- Acquired: Trauma, or stroke in the midbrain.
Sources:
- Singh, I. (2017). Human neuroanatomy (10th ed.). Helwany M, Bordoni B. Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve 1 (Olfactory) [Updated 2022 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-
- Kozlowski, T. (2017). Memorix Anatomy: The Complete Study Guide. 2nd ed. Thieme Medical Publishers.
Pictures and visuals:
- Complete Anatomy
- Biorender
- Powerpoint
- Camtasia 2021 CN 4: Trochlear Nerve (Scheme, Pathway, Clinical Relevance) | Neuroanatomy](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WLdIkJlvakQ/mqdefault.jpg)
