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Pars medialis
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculi intertransversarii posteriores mediales cervicis or colli
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Epaxial muscle – Intertransversarii
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the back, middle muscle between the crosswise processes of the neck vertebrae. The word intertransversarii comes from the Latin inter meaning “between” and the Latin term transversus for “crosswise,” which comes from Latin trans meaning “across, beyond, or through” and the Latin verb vertere meaning “to turn.” It is used in reference to the transverse processes of the vertebrae.The Latin term posterior is derived from the Latin post meaning “afterward.”Cervicis comes from the Latin cervix for “neck.”The word medialis comes from the Latin medius meaning “middle.”
Origin
Posterior surface of the articular processes of cervical vertebrae two through seven and the transverse process of the first thoracic vertebra
Insertion
Posterior surface of the articular processes of cervical vertebrae one through six
Action
Possibly weakly assist with extension of the cervical vertebrae. They are most likely proprioceptive transducers that monitor the position and movements of the vertebral column and provide feedback that influences the activity of the larger multisegmental muscles of the vertebral column.
Nerve supply
Dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves (C3 to C8)
Blood supply
These small muscles receive their blood supply from the deep cervical artery, which arises from the costocervical trunk of the subclavian artery.