Splenius Cervicis

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Description[edit | edit source]

Musculus splenius cervicis is one of the deep (or intrinsic) muscles of the cervical and thoracic spine. [1] Its fibres run superiorly and laterally. It assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation, when both splenius cervicis muscles contract they extend the cervical spine. [2]


Splenius cervicis muscle animation small.gif

Origin[edit | edit source]

Spinous processes of T3 to T6[2]

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1 to C3.[2]

Nerve Supply[edit | edit source]

Dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves (C5, 6, 7, and 8)[2]

Blood Supply[edit | edit source]

Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the external carotid artery. Dorsal branches of the posterior intercostal arteries from the thoracic aorta. [3]

Action[edit | edit source]

Bilaterally they extend the neck; unilaterally they laterally flex and rotate the head and neck to the ipsilateral (same) side[3]. [4]

Function[edit | edit source]

Splenius cervicis also assists in supporting the head in the erect position[1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gray's Anatomy of Human Body, Bartleby.com edition. New York: 2000.fckLRhttp://www.bartleby.com/107/115.html
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Kenhub. 2021. Splenius cervicis muscle. [online] Available at: <https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/splenius-cervicis-muscle> [Accessed 26 November 2021].
  4. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics. 2021. Splenius Cervicis : Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics. [online] Available at: <https://www.wheelessonline.com/bones/spine/splenius-cervicis/> [Accessed 26 November 2021].