Splenius Capitis: Difference between revisions

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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" />
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" />


The muscle tightens with mandibular protrusive movement and in the wide opening movement of the lower jaw.<ref>PPM Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome Available: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/maxillofacial/splenius-capitis-muscle-syndrome (accessed 3.2.2022)</ref>  
The muscle tightens with mandibular protrusive movement and in the wide opening movement of the lower jaw.<ref name=":1">PPM Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome Available: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/maxillofacial/splenius-capitis-muscle-syndrome (accessed 3.2.2022)</ref>  


Synergists: [[Splenius Cervicis|splenius cervicis]], [[Semispinalis Capitis|semispinalis capitis]], [[Semispinalis Cervicis|semispinalis cervicis]], superior portion of [[trapezius]].   
Synergists: [[Splenius Cervicis|splenius cervicis]], [[Semispinalis Capitis|semispinalis capitis]], [[Semispinalis Cervicis|semispinalis cervicis]], superior portion of [[trapezius]].   


== Treatment ==
== Physiotherapy ==
Dysfunction of splenius capitis may be found in those with mechanical [[Chronic Neck Pain|chronic neck pain]]<ref>Bonilla-Barba L. Lima Florencio L. Rodriguez-Jimenez J. Falla D. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Ortega-Santiago R. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468781220300655 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 Associated Disorders|whiplash]] disorders.
Dysfunction of splenius capitis may be found in those with mechanical [[Chronic Neck Pain|chronic neck pain]]<ref>Bonilla-Barba L. Lima Florencio L. Rodriguez-Jimenez J. Falla D. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C. Ortega-Santiago R. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468781220300655 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 Associated Disorders|whiplash]] disorders. 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. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1356689X1500079X 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|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 put - For patients with chronic neck pain (with radiating pain), mechanical intermittent cervical [[Traction for Neck Pain CPR|traction]], combined with [[Stretching|stretches]] and strengthening exercises and cervical/thoracic mobilisation/[[Manipulation of the Cervical Spine|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. [https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2017.0302 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>
Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome is a very painful and commonly occurring pain syndrome associated with the splenius capitis muscle insertion. It typically mimics the respective pain reference patterns of temporal tendinitis and migraine headache. The painful headache starts at the lateral margin of the superior nuchal line and medial to the mastoid process. The onset of pain is often caused by eg motor vehicular trauma, blunt trauma, falls, postural situations where superior and inferior lateral oblique movements of the head on the neck occur<ref name=":1" />.  
 
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. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1356689X1500079X 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|myofascial]] release of the splenius capitis.
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   <div class="col-md-6"> {{#ev:youtube|ZFSn6QEMyPM|300}}<div class="text-right"><ref>Painotopia. Splenius capitis and cervicis pain & trigger points – myofascial release. Avaliable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSn6QEMyPM (accessed 14/11/2021)</ref></div></div>
   <div class="col-md-6"> {{#ev:youtube|ZFSn6QEMyPM|300}}<div class="text-right"><ref>Painotopia. Splenius capitis and cervicis pain & trigger points – myofascial release. Avaliable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSn6QEMyPM (accessed 14/11/2021)</ref></div></div>

Revision as of 05:50, 3 February 2022

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]

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]

The muscle tightens with mandibular protrusive movement and in the wide opening movement of the lower jaw.[2]

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

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Dysfunction of splenius capitis may be found in those with mechanical chronic neck pain[3] or whiplash disorders. 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.

Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome is a very painful and commonly occurring pain syndrome associated with the splenius capitis muscle insertion. It typically mimics the respective pain reference patterns of temporal tendinitis and migraine headache. The painful headache starts at the lateral margin of the superior nuchal line and medial to the mastoid process. The onset of pain is often caused by eg motor vehicular trauma, blunt trauma, falls, postural situations where superior and inferior lateral oblique movements of the head on the neck occur[2].

[5]
[6]

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. ↑ 2.0 2.1 PPM Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome Available: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/maxillofacial/splenius-capitis-muscle-syndrome (accessed 3.2.2022)
  3. ↑ 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.
  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.
  5. ↑ Painotopia. Splenius capitis and cervicis pain & trigger points – myofascial release. Avaliable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSn6QEMyPM (accessed 14/11/2021)
  6. ↑ MSK Neurology. Exercise for the splenius capitis muscle. Avaliable from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEpNRI-DfKw (assessed 14/11/2021)
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