Splenius capitis muscle

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 deep cervical fascia (splenius capitis labeled at bottom right).
Latin	Musculus splenius capitis
Gray's	p.397
Origin	Nuchal ligament and spinous process of C7-T3
Insertion	Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone
Artery	Muscular branches of the aorta
Nerve	Posterior ramus of spinal nerves C3 and C4
Actions	Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head

The splenius capitis (/ˈspliːni.əs ˈkæpɨtɨs/) (from Greek spléníon, meaning "bandage", and Latin caput, meaning "head"^[1][2]) is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from the vertebrae in the neck and upper thorax. It is involved in simple movements such as shaking the head.

Structure

It arises from the lower half of the nuchal ligament, from the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, and from the spinous processes of the upper three or four thoracic vertebrae.

The fibers of the muscle are directed upward and laterally 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 capitis is deep to sternocleidomastoideus at the mastoid process, and to the trapezius for its lower portion.

The splenius capitis muscle is innervated by the posterior ramus of spinal nerves C3 and C4.

It is one of the muscles that forms the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck.

Action

The splenius capitis muscle is a prime mover for head extension. The splenius capitis can also allow lateral flexion and rotation of the cervical spine.

Additional images

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  Occipital bone. Outer surface.

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  Left temporal bone. Outer surface.

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  Muscles of the neck. Lateral view.

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  Splenius capitis muscle

References

This article incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy.

See also

This article uses anatomical terminology; for an overview, see anatomical terminology.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Splenius capitis muscles.

• LUC spca
• SUNY Figs 01:03-01 - "Superficial layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back."
• SUNY Figs 01:05-01 - "Intermediate layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back, deep muscles."
• SUNY Figs 24:01-02 - "Identification of the muscles associated with the posterolateral triangle."
• Splenius+capitis at eMedicine Dictionary
• PTCentral