erector spinae – A muscle group which run the length of the back, from the neck to the pelvis

(Pronounced uh-rek-tuh spy-nee)

To remember the meaning of erector spinae, use the following mnemonic:

To erect a statue on her own, the spy needs (erector spinae) strong back muscles. She was actually just putting the statue back.

The erector spinae are a group of deep back muscles that run along the entire length of the spine from the skull down to the pelvis. This muscle group consists of three main columns; the iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis, which are further subdivided into smaller muscles at different levels of the spine. The primary function of the erector spinae is to extend the spinae, which means straightening the back from a bent position, and they also help maintain the natural curves of the spine during upright posture.