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Muscle Name: Semispinalis

Medical Name:

• Semispinalis Capitis
• Semispinalis Cervicis
• Semispinalis Thoracis

Other Names:

• None

Head:

• Semispinalis Capitis
• Semispinalis Cervicis
• Semispinalis Thoracis

Semispinalis Capitis

Movement:

• Extension of the head and neck (bilateral contraction)
  • Tilting the head backward
• Lateral flexion of the head and neck (unilateral contraction)
  • Tilting the head to the side
• Rotation of the head and neck (unilateral contraction)
  • Turning the head to the opposite side

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Transverse processes of C7-T6 vertebrae
  • Articular processes of C4-C6 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone

Semispinalis Cervicis

Movement:

• Extension of the cervical spine (bilateral contraction)
  • Straightening the neck
• Lateral flexion of the neck (unilateral contraction)
  • Bending the neck to the side
• Rotation of the neck (unilateral contraction)
  • Turning the neck to the opposite side

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Transverse processes of T1-T6 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Spinous processes of C2-C5 vertebrae

Semispinalis Thoracis

Movement:

• Extension of the thoracic spine (bilateral contraction)
  • Straightening the upper back
• Lateral flexion of the thoracic spine (unilateral contraction)
  • Bending the upper back to the side
• Rotation of the thoracic spine (unilateral contraction)
  • Rotating the upper back to the opposite side

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Transverse processes of T6-T12 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Spinous processes of C6-T4 vertebrae

Related Muscles:

• Multifidus
• Rotatores
• Erector Spinae
• Splenius Capitis
• Splenius Cervicis

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