Splenius Capitis: Difference between revisions
m (Added more detail to the description, added detail to the muscle's action, added detail to the treatment section. Changed the references to abide by the Vancouver Referencing.)
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== Description  ==
== Description  ==


Musculus splenius capitis is one of the deep (or intrinsic) muscles of the back. It is a broad strap-like muscle in the back of the neck. Deep to Sternocleidomastoid at the mastoid process.<ref name="gray">Gray's Anatomy of Human Body, Bartleby.com edition. New York: 2000.fckLRhttp://www.bartleby.com/107/115.html</ref> <br>
Splenius capitis is a thick, flat muscle at the posterior aspect of the neck arising from the midline and extending superolaterally to the cervical vertebrae and, along with the [[Splenius Cervicis|splenius cervicis]], comprise the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles.<ref name=":0">Moore KL. Dalley AF. Agur AMR. Clinically Orientated Anatomy. 7<sup>th</sup> edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014.</ref>[[Image:Musculus_splenius_capitis_marked.png]]


In relation to its surrounding musculature, it sits:


 
* Deep to the [[trapezius]]
[[Image:Musculus_splenius_capitis_marked.png]]
* Superficial to the [[Semispinalis Capitis|semispinalis capitis]] and the [[Longissimus Capitis|longissimus capitis]]
* Forms the floor of the posterior neck triangle, positioned between the [[Sternal Precautions|sternocleidomastoid]] and the [[trapezius]]


== Origin  ==
== Origin  ==


Lower half of [[ligamentum nuchae]]  (C4-C6) and spinous process of C7-T3<ref name="ae">http://www.anatomyexpert.com/structure_detail/5203/</ref><ref name="wh">Wheeless`textbook of orthopedic, splenius capitis , available from:http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/splenius_capitis
Lower half of [[ligamentum nuchae]]  (C4-C6) and spinous process of C7-T3<ref name=":0" />  
 
(24july 2019 )
</ref>  


== Insertion  ==
== Insertion  ==


Superior nuchal line, Mastoid process of temporal bone, and rough surface adjoining occipital bone<ref name="ae" /><ref name="wh" />  
Superior nuchal line, mastoid process of temporal bone, and rough surface adjoining occipital bone<ref name=":0" />  


== Nerve Supply  ==
== Nerve Supply  ==


Dorsal ramus of spinal nerves C3-C6<ref name="ae" />  
Lateral branches of the posterior rami of the middle and lower cervical spinal nerves.<ref name=":0" />  


== Blood Supply  ==
== Blood Supply  ==


Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the external carotid artery. <ref name="ae" /> <br>  
Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the [[External Carotid Artery|external carotid artery]].<ref name=":0" /><br>  


== Action  ==
== Action  ==


Acting bilaterally: extension of the head and cervical spine <br>Acting unilaterally: lateral flexion of the head and neck and rotation the head to the same side. <ref name="wh" />
Splenius capitis assists in supporting the head in the erect position.<ref name=":0" />


== Function  ==
Acting bilaterally: extension of the head and cervical spine <br>Acting unilaterally: lateral flexion of the head and neck and rotation the head to the same side (when working synergistically with [[sternocleidomastoid]]). <ref name=":0" />


It also assists in supporting the head in the erect position<ref name="gray" />
Synergists: [[Splenius Cervicis|splenius cervicis]], [[Semispinalis Capitis|semispinalis capitis]], [[Semispinalis Cervicis|semispinalis cervicis]], superior portion of [[trapezius]]. 


In people with neck pain there may be over activity of superficial muscles and splenius capitis and inhibition of [[Semispinalis Cervicis]]<ref>J Schomacher, J Erlenwein, A Dieterich, F Petzke, F Petzkeb, D Falla. Can neck exercises enhance the activation of the semispinalis cervicis relative to the splenius capitis at specific spinal levels? Manual therapy, October 2015:20: 694-702.</ref>
== Treatment ==
Dysfunction of splenius capitis may be found in those with mechanical chronic neck pain<ref>Bonilla-Barba L. Lima Florencio L. Rodriguez-Jimenez J. Falla D. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Ortega-Santiago R. Women with mechanical neck pain exhibit increased activation of their superficial neck extensors when performing the cranio-cervical flexion test. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2020;49:102222.</ref> or whiplash disorders.


Effective management of neck pain should include exercises that focus on activating [[Semispinalis Cervicis]] as well as stretching and myofascial release of the splenius capitis .  
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) revised the [[Neck Pain: Clinical Practice Guidelines|clinical practice guidelines]] in 2017. Briefly; for patients with chronic neck pain (with radiating pain), mechanical intermittent cervical traction, combined with stretches and strengthening exercises and cervical/thoracic mobilisation/manipulation have shown to have a positive effect.<ref>Blanpied PR. Gross AR. Elliott JM. Devaney LL. Clewley D. Walton DM. Sparks C. Robertson EK. Altman RD. Beattie P. Boeglin E. Neck pain: revision 2017: clinical practice guidelines linked to the international classification of functioning, disability and health from the orthopaedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017;47(7):A1-83.</ref>


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In people with neck pain there may also be overactivity of superficial muscles, splenius capitis and inhibition of [[Semispinalis Cervicis]].<ref>Schomacher J. Erlenwein J. Dieterich A. Petzke F. Petzkeb F. Falla D. Can neck exercises enhance the activation of the semispinalis cervicis relative to the splenius capitis at specific spinal levels? Manual therapy.  2015;20:694-702.</ref> Effective management of this condition should include exercises that focus on activating [[Semispinalis Cervicis]], as well as stretching and myofascial release of the splenius capitis.{{#ev:youtube|ZFSn6QEMyPM|300}}
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|{{#ev:youtube|O24r_ljEmck|300}}
|}
{{#ev:youtube|ZFSn6QEMyPM|300}}


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 11:38, 14 November 2021

Original Editor - Venus Pagare

Top Contributors - Rachel Vogel, Lucinda hampton, Oyemi Sillo, Venus Pagare, WikiSysop, Kim Jackson, Ahmed Nasr and Tarina van der Stockt  


Description[edit | edit source]

Splenius capitis is a thick, flat muscle at the posterior aspect of the neck arising from the midline and extending superolaterally to the cervical vertebrae and, along with the splenius cervicis, comprise the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles.[1]Musculus splenius capitis marked.png

In relation to its surrounding musculature, it sits:

Origin[edit | edit source]

Lower half of ligamentum nuchae (C4-C6) and spinous process of C7-T3[1]

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Superior nuchal line, mastoid process of temporal bone, and rough surface adjoining occipital bone[1]

Nerve Supply[edit | edit source]

Lateral branches of the posterior rami of the middle and lower cervical spinal nerves.[1]

Blood Supply[edit | edit source]

Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the external carotid artery.[1]

Action[edit | edit source]

Splenius capitis assists in supporting the head in the erect position.[1]

Acting bilaterally: extension of the head and cervical spine
Acting unilaterally: lateral flexion of the head and neck and rotation the head to the same side (when working synergistically with sternocleidomastoid). [1]

Synergists: splenius cervicis, semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, superior portion of trapezius.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Dysfunction of splenius capitis may be found in those with mechanical chronic neck pain[2] or whiplash disorders.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) revised the clinical practice guidelines in 2017. Briefly; for patients with chronic neck pain (with radiating pain), mechanical intermittent cervical traction, combined with stretches and strengthening exercises and cervical/thoracic mobilisation/manipulation have shown to have a positive effect.[3]

In people with neck pain there may also be overactivity of superficial muscles, splenius capitis and inhibition of Semispinalis Cervicis.[4] Effective management of this condition should include exercises that focus on activating Semispinalis Cervicis, as well as stretching and myofascial release of the splenius capitis.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Moore KL. Dalley AF. Agur AMR. Clinically Orientated Anatomy. 7th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014.
  2. ↑ Bonilla-Barba L. Lima Florencio L. Rodriguez-Jimenez J. Falla D. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Ortega-Santiago R. Women with mechanical neck pain exhibit increased activation of their superficial neck extensors when performing the cranio-cervical flexion test. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2020;49:102222.
  3. ↑ Blanpied PR. Gross AR. Elliott JM. Devaney LL. Clewley D. Walton DM. Sparks C. Robertson EK. Altman RD. Beattie P. Boeglin E. Neck pain: revision 2017: clinical practice guidelines linked to the international classification of functioning, disability and health from the orthopaedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017;47(7):A1-83.
  4. ↑ Schomacher J. Erlenwein J. Dieterich A. Petzke F. Petzkeb F. Falla D. Can neck exercises enhance the activation of the semispinalis cervicis relative to the splenius capitis at specific spinal levels? Manual therapy.  2015;20:694-702.
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