The lumbar interspinales are paired small muscles flanking the interspinous ligament between adjacent spinous processes. They contribute minimally to extension but, like the rotatores and intertransversarii, serve a proprioceptive function. They are encountered during interspinous process device implantation (Coflex, X-Stop), the device replaces their position between the spinous processes.
| Origin | Superior border of each lumbar spinous process |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Inferior border of the adjacent superior spinous process, paired columns flanking the interspinous ligament |
| Nerve Supply | Medial branches of dorsal rami |
| Blood Supply | Lumbar arteries |
| Actions |
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They assist extension of the lumbar spine between adjacent vertebrae and are thought to act mainly as position sensors for segmental control.
The lumbar interspinales are divided or removed when spinous processes are separated or resected in posterior lumbar surgery and during interspinous spacer implantation. Their loss may contribute to reduced segmental position sense after surgery, although mechanoreceptors in the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments partly compensate. Midline pain between spinous processes, as in Baastrup disease, may involve the interspinous tissues including these muscles.
Not palpable individually, located in the interspinous space alongside the interspinous ligament.
Interspinales involvement in Baastrup disease (kissing spinous processes) producing midline extension pain managed with interspinous injection.
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