Spine Articulations

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Cervical Flexion Bending the joint resulting in a decrease of angle; moving the spine Forward; the neck moves toward the chest. Sternocleidomastoid Longus colli Longus capitis Extension / Hyperextension Straightening the joint resulting in an increase of angle; moving the spine back; the neck moves away from the chest. Splenius Semispinalis capitis Semispinalis cervicis Iliocostalis cervicis Longissimus capitis Longissimus cervicis Trapezius (upper fibers) Interspinales Lateral Flexion (Abduction) Lateral movement away from the midline of the body; moving the spine to the side (left or right); the neck moves toward the shoulder. See muscles responsible for Rotation Reduction (Adduction) Return to the anatomical position from lateral movement; straightening the neck from lateral flexion. See muscles responsible for Rotation   Rotation Rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of the bone; turning the spine to the side (right or left); the neck turns toward the shoulder. Sternocleidomastoid Scalene muscles Spenius Longissimus capitis Longissimus cervicis Iliocastalis cervicis Multifidus Levator scapulae Longus colli Intertrasversarii   Thoracic, Lumbar Flexion Bending the joint resulting in a decrease of angle; moving the spine forward; the thorax moves toward the pelvis. Rectus Abdominis Obliques Extension / Hyperextension Straightening the joint resulting in an increase of angle; moving the spine back; the thorax moves away from the pelvis. Erector Spinae Quadratus lumborum Trapezius (lower) Lateral Flexion (Abduction) Lateral movement away from the midline of the body; moving the spine to the side (left or right); the thorax moves to the side toward the pelvis. See muscles responsible for Rotation Reduction (Adduction) Return to the anatomical position from lateral movement; straightening the spine from lateral flexion. See muscles responsible for Rotation   Rotation Rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of the bone; turning the spine to the side (right or left); the thorax rotates to one side. Obliques Psoas major Quadratus lumborum Multifidus Iliocastalis lumborum Iliocastalis thoracis Rotatores Intertransversarii Notes Also see Neck.