Muscles of the Back, Neck, and Shoulder

Muscles that need to be found and isolated: Latissiumus Dorsi, Trapezius, Brachiocephalic, Rhomboideus cervicis, Romboideus capitus, Deltoid, Splenius.

Shoulder Medial View

Latissiumus Dorsi

The Latissiumus Dorsi is a muscle located on the extensively on the dorsal surface (armpit area). It works to move the forelimb. To isolate this muscle:

-Locate a separation between the muscles and use blunt probe to separate the muscle from the underlying connective tissue.

Trapezius

Trapezius and back & shoulder view

The Trapezius is located on and near the first ten thoracic vertebrae. It works to move the forelimb anteriorly. To isolate this muscle:

-Use blunt probe to apply some force on the muscles of the back/ should region of pig, looking for the thin edge of a triangular shaped muscle.

-Follow the line of the muscle, and using blunt probe, poke through the connective tissue.

-Use blunt probe to separate the Trapizuis from the connective tissue.

Brachiocephalic

Brachiocephallic and neck overview

The Brachiocephalic is located from the back of the skull to the humerus. It works to move the forelimb anteriorly. To isolate this muscle:

-Remove some of the connective tissue from the neck area with the blunt probe.

-Make sure that the skin is cut up high enough towards the ear.

-Look for a single striated band of muscle that extends deep towards the head.

View of Neck Muscles

Romboideus cervicis

The Romboideus cervicis is located near the vertical vertebrae. It works with the Romboideu capitis to hold the scapula in place and it moves it forward. To isolate this muscle:

-Remove some for connective tissue on the surface of the neck.

-Look for a band of muscle that is located on or towards the cervical vertebrae.
-Separate the muscle from the underlying connective tissue.

Romboideus capitis

The Romboideus capitis is located near the ear area, at the back of the skull to the left of the Romboideus cervicis. It works with the Romboideus cervicis to hold the scapular in place and to move it forward. To isolate this muscle:

-Remove some for connective tissue on the surface of the neck and look for the band of muscle towards the ear and into the head.

-Separate the muscle from the underlying connective tissue.

Splenius

The Splenius is located in the back of the neck and lies deep to the Romboideus cervicis and the Romboideus capitis muscles. It works to extend the head and to flex it laterally. To isolate this muscle:
-Fully isolate the Romboideus capitis and Romboideus cervicis muscle and push them to the side. The splenius lies right under those two muscles

Deltoid Muscles

The Deltoid muscles are located on the shoulder, and on the scapular towards the spine. It works to raise humerus. To isolate this muscle:
-Remove the layers of fat and connective tissue from the shoulder and scapula area.

-Look for the edges of the different muscle and use you blunt probe to separate the muscles of the Deltoid.