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Trunk muscles can be broadly divided into hypaxial muscle, which lie ventral to the transverse processes of the vertebrae and epaxial muscles, which lie dorsal to the transverse process of the vertebrae. Hypaxial muscles include some vertebral muscles, the diaphragm, the abdominal muscles, and all limb muscles. Epaxial muscles include other (dorsal) muscles associated with the vertebrae, ribs, and base of the skull.

[edit] Location

The hypaxial muscles are located on the lower side of the body, often below the horizontal septum in many species (primarily fish and amphibians). In amniotes, the positional distinctions have been lost as the body's muscles have changed through evolution, but in all species, the hypaxial muscles are innervated by the ventral ramus of the spinal nerves, while the epaxial muscles are innervated by the dorsal ramus.

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