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Department of Neuroscience: Human Structure Module
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  9. Topographical Anatomy of the Back

Topographical Anatomy of the Back

Structure/SpaceDescription/BoundariesSignificance
external occipital protuberancea bump located in the midline on the posterior surface of the occipital bonethe medial ends of the superior nuchal lines meet at the external occipital protuberance; the ligamentum nuchae attaches here
lumbar trianglea triangle defined by the border of the latissimus dorsi m. medially, the external abdominal oblique m. laterally and the iliac crest inferiorly; its floor is the internal abdominal oblique m.lumbar triangle may be the site of an abdominal hernia; also known as: triangle of Petit
natal cleftmidline cleft between the buttocksnatal cleft lies between the gluteus maximus muscles
paravertebral linean imaginary line located lateral to the midline on the posterior surface of the body, parallel to the vertebral columnparavertebral line is used as a descriptive landmark
quadrangular spacean area on the posterior surface of the back bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly, the long head of the triceps brachii m. medially and the humerus laterallythe axillary n. and the posterior circumflex humeral a. pass through this space
triangle of auscultationa triangle located below the inferior angle of the scapula bounded by the trapezius m. medially, rhomboideus major m. superiorly and the latissimus dorsi m. inferiorly; its floor is the posterior thoracic walltriangle of auscultation is used to listen to (auscultate) the lungs because the stethoscope can be placed close to the thoracic wall at this location
triangular intervalthe interval between the teres major m. superiorly, long head of the triceps brachii m. medially and humerus laterallythe radial n. passes through this interval to get from the axilla to the posterior surface of the humerus
triangular spacethe space bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly and the long head of the triceps brachii m. laterallythe circumflex scapular vessels are located in this space as they pass from the axilla to the dorsum of the scapula
vertebra prominensthe C7 vertebra, so named because its spine is easily seen and palpatedvertebra prominens is an easily palpable landmark which indicates the level of transition from cervical to thoracic vertebra
vertebral furrowmidline furrow down the backsurface landmark that indicates the location of the vertebral spines; the erector spinae muscle masses lie on either side of it
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