Intertransversarii

Structure

Cervical

In the cervical region they are best developed, consisting of rounded muscular and tendinous fasciculi, and are placed in pairs, passing between the anterior and the posterior tubercles respectively of the transverse processes of two contiguous vertebrae, and separated from one another by an anterior primary division of the cervical nerve, which lies in the groove between them.

• The muscles connecting the anterior tubercles are termed the anterior intertransversarii.
• Those between the posterior tubercles are termed the posterior intertransversarii.

Both sets are supplied by the anterior rami of the spinal nerves.

There are seven pairs of these muscles, the first pair being between the atlas and axis, and the last pair between the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebræ.

Thoracic

In the thoracic region they are present between the transverse processes of the lower three thoracic vertebrae, and between the transverse processes of the last thoracic and the first lumbar. These are called the * thoracic intertransversarii* and are supplied by the posterior rami of the spinal nerves.

Lumbar

In the lumbar region they are arranged in pairs, on either side of the vertebral column,

• one set occupying the entire interspace between the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, are the lateral lumbar intertransversarii.
• the other set, the medial lumbar intertransversarii, passing from the accessory process of one vertebra to the mammillary of the vertebra below.

The intertransversarii laterales are supplied by the anterior rami, and the intertransversarii mediales by the posterior rami of the spinal nerves.

Function

They contribute little to no movement on their own, but they stabilize adjoining vertebrae allowing more effective action from other muscle groups.

References