Neurovasculature of the back (English)

The arterial supply of the back is primarily derived via the posterior intercostal and lumbar arteries which arise directly from the aorta. Additional supply is delivered by cutaneous branches of arteries supplying the superficial (extrinsic) muscles of the back (e.g. transverse cervical artery) as well as those forming the scapular anastomosis. Venous drainage is achieved via similar patterns however these vessels empty into the brachiocephalic veins, azygos venous system and inferior vena cava. The skin of the back is primarily innervated by the posterior rami of most of spinal nerves, specifically the medial branches of these rami in the cervical and thoracic regions (C2-C5, T2-T12) and the lateral branches of the posterior rami in the lumbar region (L1-L3). The superficial back muscles are mainly innervated by branches of the cervical and brachial plexus, and intercostal nerves. Most of the deep muscles of the back are innervated by the posterior rami of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves.