Three Musculature Slings

 

1. Longitudinal Sling 

Multifidus-Sacrum-Deep Layer of TLF(thoracolumbar fascia)-Sacrotuberous Ligaments-Bicep Femoris

2. Posterior Oblique Sling

Latissimus Dorsi-TLF-Glut Max

3. Anterior Oblique Sling

Ext Obliques-Int Obliques-Transverse Abdominus-Piriformis-Rectus Abdominus-Linea Alba-Inguinal Ligament

Superficial to the musculature of the inner unit are the outer unit systems, sometimes referred to as slings. The Deep Longitudinal System (DLS) is composed of the erector muscles of the spine and their investing fascia. The spinal erectors communicate with the biceps femoris through the sacrotuberous ligament of the pelvis and to the lower extremity via the peroneus longus muscle (Figure 1).

The Posterior Oblique System (PS) or sling consists primarily of the latissimus dorsi and the contralateral gluteus maxim us (Figure 2).

The Anterior Oblique System (AS) consists of a working relationship between the oblique abdominal muscles and the contralateral adductor musculature and the intervening anterior abdominal fascia (Figure 3).

The Lateral System (LS) (Figure 4) consists of a working relationship between the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and ipsilateral adductors (1,3). Porterfield and DeRosa (3) indicate a working relationship between the gluteus medius and adductors of one leg with the opposite quadratus lumborum. The author’s clinical experience strongly suggests that the oblique musculature is synergistic with the quadratus lumborum during lateral sling functions such as those seen in Figure 4.