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Thoracic rotation refers to the ability of the thoracic spine (mid-back) to rotate around its axis. It’s important for many functional movements, including reaching, turning, and athletic activities.
Thoracic rotation primarily involves several muscles that contribute to the movement and stability of the thoracic spine and rib cage. The main muscles include:
1. Obliques (External and Internal) – These muscles are key for producing and controlling rotation of the torso. The external obliques on one side and the internal obliques on the opposite side work together during rotation.
2. Multifidus – A deep spinal muscle that helps with small adjustments in thoracic rotation and overall spinal stability.
3. Rotatores – These small muscles assist in the fine control and rotation of the vertebrae within the thoracic spine.
4. Erector Spinae (Spinalis, Longissimus, Iliocostalis) – These muscles, especially the iliocostalis and longissimus, help extend and rotate the spine.
5. Serratus Anterior – While primarily a shoulder girdle muscle, it plays a role in thoracic rotation by stabilising the scapula, which is essential for smooth thoracic motion.
6. Latissimus Dorsi – This large muscle assists in the rotation of the thoracic spine, especially when the arms are involved in the movement.
7. Rhomboids and Trapezius – These muscles help stabilise and position the scapula, indirectly supporting thoracic rotation by allowing proper shoulder and rib cage movement.
• Facet joints in the thoracic spine are oriented more in a coronal (frontal) plane, which allows for better rotation compared to the lumbar spine, where the facet joints are more sagittal (forward and backward plane).
• The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12). Rotation is more prominent in the upper thoracic region (T1-T8) due to the relatively horizontal facet joint orientation, while the lower thoracic (T9-T12) becomes more limited due to a transition towards lumbar-like structure.