Semispinalis colli muscle
Musculus semispinalis colli
Semispinalis colli is a deep back muscle of the neck that runs from upper thoracic transverse processes to cervical spinous processes.
At a glance
- English
- Semispinalis colli muscle
- Latin (TA2)
- Musculus semispinalis colli
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Neck
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the semispinalis colli muscle
Semispinalis colli, also called semispinalis cervicis, belongs to the transversospinal group of deep back muscles. These lie in the groove between the spinous and transverse processes and run upward and inward from one vertebra to others several levels higher. Semispinalis colli is the middle member of the semispinalis series, between semispinalis thoracis below and semispinalis capitis, which covers it, above.
It begins by a set of short tendons and fleshy slips from the T1 to T5 or T6 transverse processes. Its bundles climb across four to six segments and attach to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae from the axis down to about C5. It is noticeably thicker than semispinalis thoracis, and the bundle reaching the axis is the biggest and the most muscular, giving the large bifid spine of C2 a strong pull.
Working on both sides together the muscle extends the cervical and upper thoracic spine and holds the neck upright. Working on one side it bends the neck to that side and turns the vertebrae so that the face moves slightly towards the opposite side. Because its slips cross many small joints it also controls the curve and posture of the neck segment by segment.
Semispinalis colli lies just beneath semispinalis capitis and above multifidus. The greater occipital nerve and the deep cervical vessels run between it and semispinalis capitis, so it is a landmark in the suboccipital and posterior neck region and in surgical approaches to the cervical spine.
Attachments, action and supply
- Origin
- Thoracic transverse processes, T1 to T5 or T6.
- Insertion
- Spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae from the axis to about C5, the largest slip reaching the axis.
- Action
- Extends the neck and upper thoracic spine on both sides; bends the neck to the same side and turns it towards the opposite side on one side.
- Nerve supply
- Medial branches of the dorsal rami of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal nerves.
- Blood supply
- Deep cervical artery, with branches from the occipital and vertebral arteries and the dorsal branches of the upper posterior intercostal arteries.
Anthromica
See the semispinalis colli muscle where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
