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Functional Anatomy of the Erector Spinae: Review

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Spinal Anatomy

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Abstract

Introduction: chronic low back pain and camptocormia raise the question of the function and organization of the trunk muscles.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to synthesize recent knowledge on the anatomical function and organization of the erector spinae muscles based on a review of the recent literature and the author’s studies.

Results: after a topographic description of the muscles of the back, focusing on the muscles of the paravertebral groove, the principal models of functional organization of the thoracolumbar and abdominal muscles during postural adjustment and dynamic activities are described. Next, the dysfunction of these muscles during chronic low back pain and appropriate physical therapy are reviewed.

Conclusion: the new models, the physiological approach, and functional imaging described above can provide a new understanding of low back pain and give rise to new practical clinical applications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic Medicine, University Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    M. De Sèze

  2. Spinal Unit, University Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    O. Gille

Authors
  1. M. De Sèze
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  2. O. Gille
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Spinal Unit, Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Jean Marc Vital

  2. Spinal Unit, Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Derek Thomas Cawley

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De Sèze, M., Gille, O. (2020). Functional Anatomy of the Erector Spinae: Review. In: Vital, J., Cawley, D. (eds) Spinal Anatomy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20925-4_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20925-4_21

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