Variability in the human M. spinalis capitis and cervicis: frequencies and definitions

Greiner, Thomas M.; Bedford, M. Elizabeth; Walker, Robert A.

doi:10.1016/s0940-9602(04)80039-6

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Previous work (Greiner et al, 2004) examined the frequency of muscle attachments to the spinous processes. Although that study did not examine racial/ ethnic diversity, it did report a neck muscle, spinalis cervicis, that does not appear regularly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape analysis of the cervical spinous process

Greiner

2017

Clinical Anatomy

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Most textbooks describe the bifid spinous process as a shape associated with the typical cervical vertebra. Somewhere later they may acknowledge that cervical vertebrae are not always bifid, and that its appearance may be asymmetric. A high incidence of bifid cervical spinous processes may be a human characteristic, but because of known racial/geographic variation it may not be a very good one. Rarely can one find a satisfactory explanation of the functional or developmental basis for this shape variation. This article explores the distinctive shape of the cervical spinous process. Analysis is based upon the spinous processes of the third through seventh cervical vertebrae from fifty individuals. Shape differences were evaluated using the techniques of geometric morphometrics. Statistical comparisons were based upon 1000 permutations of a MANOVA based analysis. Significant shape differences were identified among the cervical vertebrae. However, post hoc analysis failed to identify significant differences between the C3 and C4 and between the C4 and C5 spinous process shapes. Primary shape differences were due to the depth of the bifid separation and the length of the process. Vertebrae with shorter spinous processes tended to display a more pronounced bifid condition. Combined observations from this and several other investigations suggest that a combination of variation in the spinalis cervicis muscle and behavioral patterns associated with cervical load may provide the best explanation for the shape variation in the cervical spinous process. Clin. Anat. 30:894-900, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape analysis of the cervical spinous process

Greiner

2017

Clinical Anatomy

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“…Greiner et al (2004) classified the conditions of these muscles as absent, blended (with the semispinalis muscle), or distinct (from the semispinalis muscle) (Table 30.10). The spinalis cervicis and capitis muscles, while considered typical muscles, are quite variable in their occurrence and appearance.…”

Section: Erector Spinaementioning

confidence: 99%

Back Muscles

Bakkum

Miller

2016

Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation

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“…Such findings, in the grand tradition of 19th century studies on variations and anomalies of human myology (e.g., Wood, ; Macalister, ; cf. Greiner et al, ), hardly surprise us, for as biological anthropologists we expect to find intragroup and intergroup diversity in anatomic structures with complex etiologies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Enigmatic Cranial Superstructures Among Chamorro Ancestors From The Mariana Islands: Gross Anatomy and Microanatomy

Heathcote

Bromage

Sava³

et al. 2014

The Anatomical Record

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This study focuses on the gross anatomy, anatomic relations, microanatomy, and meaning of three enigmatic, geographically-patterned, quasi-continuous superstructures of the posterior cranium. Collectively known as occipital superstructures (OSS), these traits are the occipital torus tubercle (TOT), retromastoid process (PR), and posterior supramastoid tubercle (TSP). When present, TOT, PR and TSP develop at posterior cranial attachment sites of the upper trapezius, superior oblique and sternocleidomastoid muscles, respectively. Marked expression and co-occurrence of these OSS are virtually circumscribed within Oceania and reach highest recorded frequencies in proto-historic Chamorros (CHamoru) of the Mariana Islands. Prior to undertaking scanning electron microscopy (SEM) work, our working multifactorial model for OSS development was that early-onset, long-term, chronic activity-related microtrauma at enthesis sites led to exuberant reactive or reparative responses in a substantial minority of genetically predisposed (and mostly male) individuals. SEM imaging, however, reveals topographic patterning that questions, but does not negate, activity-induction of these superstructures. While OSS appear macroscopically as relatively large and discrete phenomena, SEM findings reveal a unique, widespread and seemingly systemic distribution of structures over the occipital surface that have the appearance of OSS microforms. Nevertheless, apparent genetic underpinnings, anatomic relationships with muscle entheses, and positive correlation of OSS development with humeral robusticity continue to suggest that these superstructures have potential to at once bear witness to Chamorro population history and inform osteobiographical constructions of chronic activity patterns in individuals bearing them. Further work is outlined that would illuminate the proximate and ultimate meanings of OSS.

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Variability in the human M. spinalis capitis and cervicis: frequencies and definitions

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Shape analysis of the cervical spinous process

Shape analysis of the cervical spinous process

Back Muscles

Enigmatic Cranial Superstructures Among Chamorro Ancestors From The Mariana Islands: Gross Anatomy and Microanatomy

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