| Splenius capitis muscle | |
|---|---|
| Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. (Splenius capitis et cervicis labeled at upper right.) | |
| Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Showing the arrangement of the fascia coli. (Splenius capitis labeled at bottom right.) | |
| Latin | musculus splenius capitis |
| Gray's | subject #115 397 |
| Origin | Ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7-T3 |
| Insertion | Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone |
| Artery | muscular branches of the aorta |
| Nerve | dorsal rami of C3, C4 |
| Actions | Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head |
The splenius capitis is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from vertebrae in the neck and upper thorax.
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It arises from the lower half of the ligamentum nuchæ, from the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, and from the spinous processes of the upper three or four thoracic vertebræ.
The fibers of the muscle are directed upward and lateralward and are inserted, under cover of the Sternocleidomastoideus, into the mastoid process of the temporal bone, and into the rough surface on the occipital bone just below the lateral third of the superior nuchal line.
The splenius is deep to sternocleidomastoideus at the mastoid process, and to the trapezius for its lower portion.
The Splenius Capitis muscle is innervated by the dorsal rami of spinal nerves C3-C4.
The splenius muscle is a prime mover for head extension. The splenius capitis can also allow lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical spine.
The name derives from the Greek word "spléníon," which means bandage[1] and the Latin word "caput," which means head.[2]
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
tz:Muscle splenius capitis