Splenius capitis muscle

The splenius capitis (/ˈspliːniəsˈkæpɪtɪs/) (fromGreek splēníon 'bandage'andLatin caput 'head'^[1][2]) is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from the vertebraein the neck and upper thorax. It is involved in movements such as shaking the head.

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 two 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 nervesC3 and C4.

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.

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

• Splenius cervicis muscle

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 397 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918)

• Figura anatómica: 01:03-01 en Anatomía Humana en Línea, Centro Médico SUNY Downstate - "Capa superficial de los músculos extrínsecos de la espalda".
• Figura anatómica: 01:05-01 en Anatomía Humana en Línea, Centro Médico SUNY Downstate - "Capa intermedia de los músculos extrínsecos de la espalda, músculos profundos".
• Figura anatómica: 24:01-02 en Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Identificación de los músculos asociados con el triángulo posterolateral ".
• PTCentral