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Muscles/Upper Back

Upper Back

serratus posterior superior

seh-RAH-tus pos-TEER-ee-or soo-PEER-ee-or

Upper back deep muscle from cervical/thoracic spine to upper ribs, elevates ribs for inhalation. Supports breathing during core work.

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Common Pain & Injury

Interscapular pain, tight breathing. Persistent cough? Doc.

Anatomy & Function

Origin

Spinous processes C7-T3

Insertion

Ribs 2-5

Actions

  • Elevates ribs (inspiration)

Innervation

Posterior rami T2-T5

Muscle Relationships

Antagonists

Serratus posterior inferior

Synergists

External intercostals

Trigger Points

Refers to neck, shoulder, arm.

Stretches

1Upper back extension
2Rib lift stretch

Common Conditions

Respiratory myofascial painCostovertebral strain

Anatomical Parts

Right serratus posterior superiorLeft serratus posterior superior

FAQ

Serratus posterior superior trigger points?

Refers to arm; massage between blades.

Serratus posterior superior function?

Lifts upper ribs for breath.

Exercises for serratus posterior superior

20

Also Works serratus posterior superior

10

Related Upper Back Muscles

Ascending part of left trapezius
Upper fibers of left trapezius elevate and retract scapula for shrugs and pulls. Key for posture and overhead strength. Left-side focus corrects imbalances.
Descending part of left trapezius
The descending part of the left trapezius fibers run downward from neck to scapula on the left side, aiding scapular depression and upward rotation. Key for pull-ups and lat work, preventing shoulder hike.
Descending part of right trapezius
The descending part of the right trapezius fibers slope from occiput to right scapula, depressing and upwardly rotating the scapula. Essential for balanced shoulder mechanics in bilateral lifts.
iliocostalis thoracis
Iliocostalis thoracis, mid erector spinae, runs parallel to spine from low-mid back to upper ribs, aiding thoracic extension and breathing. Supports rows, pulls, and posture in upper body training.
interspinalis thoracis
Tiny interspinalis thoracis muscles between thoracic spinous processes fine-tune extension.
longissimus thoracis
The longest erector spinae muscle, running parallel to the spine from sacrum to mid-back, it extends the spine and maintains upright posture. Essential for deadlifts, squats, and spinal stability in powerlifting. Weakness leads to back rounding under load.
rhomboid major
The rhomboid major is a diamond-shaped muscle between your shoulder blades, retracting the scapula for better posture. It stabilizes during rows, pull-ups, and presses, countering slouched shoulders in gym-goers. Weak rhomboids lead to rounded posture and shoulder issues.
rhomboid minor
The rhomboid minor, above the major, connects upper thoracic spine to the shoulder blade's inner border. It retracts and stabilizes the scapula during upper body pulls. Essential for posture correction in lifters with desk jobs.

Upper Back Pain Guide

Common causes and relief

Activities & Sports

See which activities use serratus posterior superior

Pinpoint·Interactive 3D Anatomy & Exercise Guide