Muscle Name: Splenius

Medical Name:

• Splenius Capitis
• Splenius Cervicis

Other Names:

• None

Head:

• Splenius Capitis
• Splenius Cervicis

Splenius Capitis

Movement:

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

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Lower half of the nuchal ligament
  • Spinous processes of C7-T3 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Mastoid process of the temporal bone
  • Lateral third of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone

Splenius Cervicis

Movement:

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

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Spinous processes of T3-T6 vertebrae
• Insertion:
  • Transverse processes of C1-C3 vertebrae

Related Muscles:

• Sternocleidomastoid
• Trapezius
• Levator Scapulae
• Erector Spinae
• Semispinalis Capitis

EXERCISES

COMMUNITY