MUSCLES OF THE BACK. 403 



v 



The Rhomboideus Minor, 



Is above the other. It is a narrow muscle which arises by 

 a thin tendon from the three inferior spinous processes of the 

 neck, and, passing obliquely downwards, is inserted into the 

 base of the scapula opposite the beginning of its spine. 



The Rhomboideus Major, 



Arises, also, by a thin tendon from the last spinous process of 

 the neck, and from the four superior of the back, and is insert- 

 ed into all the base of the scapula below its spine. 



These muscles draw the scapula upwards and backwards. 



The Serratus Superior Posticus, 



Arises by a thin tendon from the three inferior spinous pro- 

 cesses of the neck, and the two superior of the back, and is in- 

 serted into the second, third, fourth, and fifth ribs, by tendi- 

 nous and fleshy slips, a little beyond their angles. 



This muscle draws the ribs upwards. 



Between the two serrati is an aponeurotic expansion de- 

 scribed by Rosenmuller,. which connects thenl with each other, 

 and has induced some anatomists to consider them as but one 

 muscle. It is thin and diaphanous, but has the fibrous structure 

 very apparent, and running in a transverse direction from the 

 spinous processes to the angles of the ribs. The superior mar- 

 gin of the latissimus dorsi also runs into this fascia, so as to 

 render its own bounds somewhat undefined. This fascia, along 

 with the ribs and vertebrae, forms that canal in which are con- 

 tained the deep-seated muscles of the back. 



The Levator Scapulce, 



Is placed between the posterior edge of the sterno-cleido- 

 mastoideus and the anterior of the trapezius ; its lower end is 

 just above the rhomboideus minor. It arises by rounded tea- 



