Splenius Capitis
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]
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.[1]
Origin[edit | edit source]
Lower half of ligamentum nuchae (C4-C6) and spinous process of C7-T3[2][3]
Insertion[edit | edit source]
Superior nuchal line, Mastoid process of temporal bone, and rough surface adjoining occipital bone[2][3]
Nerve Supply[edit | edit source]
Dorsal ramus of spinal nerves C3-C6[2]
Blood Supply[edit | edit source]
Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the external carotid artery. [2]
Action[edit | edit source]
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. [3]
Function[edit | edit source]
It also assists in supporting the head in the erect position[1]
In people with neck pain there may be over activity of superficial muscles and splenius capitis and inhibition of Semispinalis Cervicis[4]
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 .
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gray's Anatomy of Human Body, Bartleby.com edition. New York: 2000.fckLRhttp://www.bartleby.com/107/115.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.anatomyexpert.com/structure_detail/5203/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wheeless`textbook of orthopedic, splenius capitis , available from:http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/splenius_capitis (24july 2019 )
- ↑ 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.
