Spinalis Capitis

Original Editor Oyemi Sillo

Lead Editors - Abbey Wright, Lucinda hampton, Oyemi Sillo, Kim Jackson and WikiSysop  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Top R arrow Spinalis Capitis

The erector spinae group is the intermediate layer of the intrinsic muscles of the back. The erector spinae consists of three subgroups, with the group divisions occurring by location.

  1. Spinalis subgroup is the most medial
  2. Longissimus subgroup is between spinalis and iliocostalis
  3. Iliocostalis subgroup is the most lateral[1]

Spinalis Capitis (or Spinalis Colli) is the most superior of the spinalis group of muscles with spinalis cervicis and spinalis thoracis lying inferiorly in the cervical and thoracic spine. It is not a truly separate muscle, when it exists it consists of occasional fibers from the semispinalis capitis, but with a different insertion[1]. It is known as spinalis capitis due to its attachments to the head (cranium).[2]

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Splenius capitus origin marked

Origin Medial aspect between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occiput[1] 

Insertion Spines of C7 and T1 (as opposed to the superior articular processes of C4-T6 or T7 for the semispinalis capitis)

Nerve and Blood Supply

Nerve: Lateral branch of the rami of cervical spinal nerves (C1 to C3).  [2]

Blood: Muscular branches of the vertebral artery via the subclavian and also from muscular branches of the occipital artery via the external carotid artery.[2]

Action[edit | edit source]

Bilaterally extends the cervical spine and head.

Unilaterally spinalis capitis laterally flexes and rotates the cervical spine and head to ipsilateral (same) side[3].

Function[edit | edit source]

Neck pain

Spinalis capitis works with the other spinalis and greater erector spinae muscles to produce cervical extension as well as lateral flexion and rotation of the spine and head.

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Injury to the spinalis capitus may occur during eg whiplash, stress related shoulder postures or a blow to the back of the head and holding the shoulders up due to a lot of stress. Signs and symptoms include: Headaches; pain in the upper cervical spine extending to the back of the head, a band of pain in the occipital region skull[4]. See Headaches

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Radiopedia Erector spinae group Available: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/erector-spinae-group?lang=us(accessed 4.2.2022)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Spinalis muscle [Internet]. Kenhub. 2021 [cited 30 November 2021]. Available from: https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/spinalis-muscle
  3. Spinalis Cervicis : Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics [Internet]. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics. 2021 [cited 30 November 2021]. Available from: https://www.wheelessonline.com/bones/spine/spinalis-cervicis/
  4. Rehab my patient Spinalis capitis Available:https://www.rehabmypatient.com/neck/spinalis-capitis (accessed 4.2.2022)