DISSECTION OF THE BACK 



53 



Muscles connecting the Limb to the Dorsal Aspect of the 

 Trunk. This group consists of five muscles, and they are 

 arranged in two strata. Two form the superficial stratum, viz., 

 the trapezius and the latissimus dorsi. Both are broad, flat 

 muscles which cover the greater part of the dorsal aspect of 

 the trunk, from the occiput above to the ilium below. The 

 trapezius lies over the back of the neck and the thorax. 

 The latissimus dorsi is placed lower down. The deeper 

 stratum of muscles, composed of the levator scapulae and the 

 two rhomboid muscles, is under cover of the trapezius. 



Semispinalis capitis 

 Rectus capitis posterior mino 

 Rectus capitis posterior major 



Trapezius 



Obliquus capitis superior 



terno-cleido-mastoid 

 Splenius capitis 



Rectus capitis lateralis 



Rectus capitis anter 



Longus capiti 



Superior constrictor of pharynx. 



FIG. 27. Muscle- Attachments to the Occipital Bone. 



Dissection. After the cutaneous nerves and vessels have been 

 displayed and followed to their terminations, clean away the 

 remains of the fatty superficial fascia in the area of the trapezius, 

 but do not injure the deep fascia or the cutaneous nerves ; then 

 proceed to clean the trapezius, which is the most superficial 

 muscle of the back. The trapezius belongs only in part to the 

 dissector of the upper extremity. The portion of it which lies 

 above the prominent spine of the seventh cervical vertebra is the 

 property of the dissector of the head and neck, and must be 

 dissected by him. The two dissectors should work in conjunc- 

 tion with each other ; and when the entire muscle is exposed, 

 each should give the other an opportunity of studying it in its 

 entirety. 



If the dissection is being made on the right side, place the arm 

 close to the trunk and drag the scapula forwards over the end of 

 the block which supports the thorax. Cut through the deep 



