01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Along the rear of your torso, from your neck to your pelvis.
02 / Structure & organization
The vertebral column and deep back muscles support posture and controlled movement. More superficial muscles connect the trunk with the shoulder girdle and upper limbs. Fascia separates layers and distributes tension across the back.
03 / Function
Its bones and muscles support you and help you move.
04 / Mechanism
Layers of muscles help hold your body upright and guide bending and turning. The spine runs through the middle, and the shoulder blades lie over the upper ribs. Strong connective tissues help share the work of supporting you.
Part of a bigger picture
The back belongs in our torso & skin collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore torso & skin →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Differentiate the bony vertebral column from the spinal cord within it. Back muscles can move the spine, stabilize it or move the shoulder blade depending on their attachments.
Check your understanding
Locate the back in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.