Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7

Back · Trunk

The Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 is found among the Back muscles of the Trunk. Its origin is Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of a cervical vertebra, and it inserts onto Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of the adjacent vertebra above. When it contracts, it laterally flexes the cervical spine and stabilizes adjacent vertebrae. It is innervated by the Posterior (dorsal) rami of cervical spinal nerves.

Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve

Origin

Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of a cervical vertebra

Insertion

Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of the adjacent vertebra above

Action

Laterally flexes the cervical spine and stabilizes adjacent vertebrae

Nerve

Posterior (dorsal) rami of cervical spinal nerves

Attachments explained

The Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.

Origin

Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of a cervical vertebra

Insertion

Posterior tubercle of the transverse process of the adjacent vertebra above

Action & function

When the Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 contracts, it produces the following movement: Laterally flexes the cervical spine and stabilizes adjacent vertebrae.

As part of the Back group of the Trunk, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.

Nerve supply & clinical relevance

The Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 receives its nerve supply from the Posterior (dorsal) rami of cervical spinal nerves.

Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Posterior can weaken or paralyse the Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7, impairing the movements it normally produces (laterally flexes the cervical spine and stabilizes adjacent vertebrae). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.

How to study the Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 (the OIANS method)

OIANS stands for Origin, Insertion, Action and Nerve, the four facts that uniquely define every skeletal muscle. To learn the Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7, work through them in order: picture its origin, trace the muscle to its insertion, reason out the action that shortening between those two points must create, then add the nerve that drives it.

Most students remember the Intertransversarii Posteriores Mediales Cervicis 1–7 fastest by linking its action back to its attachments rather than memorising each fact in isolation. Once the origin and insertion make sense, the action usually follows logically.