The back consists of the spine, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. These structures work together to support the body, enable a range of movements, and send messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Conditions or injuries affecting the back can range from mild to severe.
Summary The back consists of the spine, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. These structures work together to support the body, enable a range of movements, and send messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Conditions or injuries affecting the back can range from mild to severe.
There are three different groups of muscles in the back. These are called the superficial, intermediate, and intrinsic muscles. The sections below cover these in more detail. The superficial, or extrinsic, back muscles allow for the movement of the limbs.