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Muscles/Upper Back

Upper Back

Spinalis

spye-NAH-lis

Medial erector spinae column spanning thoracic/cervical, extends spine unilaterally/ bilaterally. Core for upright posture in lifts.

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Common Pain & Injury

Midline back stiffness with extension; poor form trigger. Doctor for sciatica.

Anatomy & Function

Origin

Spinous processes T11-L2 (thoracic/lumbar).

Insertion

Spinous processes T4-T8 and occiput (upper thoracic/head).

Actions

  • Extends thoracic/cervical spine
  • Unilateral rotation/lateral flexion

Innervation

Posterior rami dorsal branches.

Muscle Relationships

Antagonists

Rectus abdominis

Synergists

LongissimusIliocostalis

Trigger Points

Paraspinal; refer head/neck.

Stretches

1Child's pose
2Sphinx pose reverse
3Thoracic extension stretch

Common Conditions

Erector spinae strainFacet syndrome

Anatomical Parts

Spinalis

FAQ

Spinalis muscle function?

Extends and stabilizes thoracic spine.

Exercises for Spinalis

20

Also Works Spinalis

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 Spinalis

Pinpoint·Interactive 3D Anatomy & Exercise Guide