Splenius capitis muscle
Musculus splenius capitis
Splenius capitis is a broad strap muscle at the back of the neck that runs from the upper spines to the mastoid and occiput.
At a glance
- English
- Splenius capitis muscle
- Latin (TA2)
- Musculus splenius capitis
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Neck
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the splenius capitis muscle
Splenius capitis is a wide, flat band at the nape that wraps around the deeper muscles like a bandage, which is what its Greek name refers to. Together with splenius colli it forms the splenius group, the most superficial layer of the deep back muscles in the neck. It lies under trapezius below, under sternocleidomastoid at its upper end, and between those two muscles it helps to floor the posterior cervical triangle.
Its fibres arise from the nuchal ligament's lower half, the spine of C7 and the spines of T1 to T3 or T4. They pass upward and outward and insert on the temporal bone's mastoid process and on a rough strip of occiput beneath the outer part of the superior nuchal line, deep to sternocleidomastoid.
Acting together, the two muscles draw the head and neck backwards and are main movers in extending the head. Acting on one side, the muscle bends the neck to that side and turns the face towards the same side, a movement it shares with the opposite sternocleidomastoid. It works in turning and shaking the head and in keeping the head balanced when the body leans forward.
The muscle is supplied by dorsal rami of the middle cervical nerves. It is often strained in whiplash and other flexion-extension injuries, and its upper part is a common site of tender points and headaches that spread to the back of the head. Beneath it lie semispinalis capitis and longissimus capitis.
Attachments, action and supply
- Origin
- Nuchal ligament (its lower half), spine of C7 and spines of T1 to T3 or T4.
- Insertion
- Mastoid process and the occiput beneath the outer part of the superior nuchal line.
- Action
- Extends the head and neck on both sides; bends the neck to the same side and turns the face to the same side on one side.
- Nerve supply
- Lateral branches of the dorsal rami of the middle cervical spinal nerves, mainly C3 and C4.
- Blood supply
- Muscular branches of the occipital artery, with branches from the transverse cervical and deep cervical arteries.
Anthromica
See the splenius capitis 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.
