In order to understand the role of the core muscles in the functioning of the spine it is worthwhile first to examine
some basic anatomy.
The back can be described as consisting of 3 layers: the deep, middle and outer – each one having a specific
role to play.
The deep layer consists of 25 bones or ‘vertebrae’ held together by the discs (in between each vertebrae),
the ligaments (at the back, front and sides) and small muscles (running from one vertebrae to the next).
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| The spinal column - From Grays Anatomy Wikipedia Commons |
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The middle layer forms the core muscles.
Running from the front to the back is Transversus Abdominis
Along
the back of the spine is Multifidus
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| Trunk Muscles, Grays Anatomy - Wikipedia Commons |
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| Side view - Transversus Abdominis pictured |
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The outer layer consists of larger muscles
which span across ten or more vertebrae.
These muscles are responsible for large
movements such as bending and twisting the spine.
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| Back view: Middle layer (left) and Outer layer (right) |
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During such large range spinal movements, each joint in the spine moves a small amount in a slide, bending
or rotation direction.
These small movements are detected by the ligaments and small muscles of the inner layer and the information is sent
to the brain.
The brain then activates the stabilising muscles of the middle layer to control these small movements. This is important
because excessive movement at any spinal level can lead to injury to the vertebrae, discs or ligaments.
