Splenius capitis muscle

Template:Short description Template:More footnotes Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other The splenius capitis (Template:IPAc-en) (Template:Ety) 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 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. It is one of the muscles that forms the floor of the posterior triangle of the neck.

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

Function

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

• Muscles of the neck. Lateral view.
  Muscles of the neck. Lateral view.
• Splenius capitis muscle
  Splenius capitis muscle
• Splenius muscle
  Splenius muscle
• Splenius and Semispinalis
  Splenius and Semispinalis

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from Template:Wikidatathe 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) Template:Main other Template:Reflist

External links

• Anatomy figure: 01:03-01 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Superficial layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back."
• Anatomy figure: 01:05-01 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Intermediate layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back, deep muscles."
• Anatomy figure: 24:01-02 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Identification of the muscles associated with the posterolateral triangle."
• PTCentral