Longissimus Capitis Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The longissimus capitis muscle is a long flat muscle on the side of the neck.

image descriptionLongissimus Capitis:

Unlabelled image of the muscles of the back
Labelled image of the semispinalis capitis, longisimus capitid, spinalis cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, and spinalis thoracis
Labelled image of the longissimus capitis, spinalis cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, iliocostals lumborum, and spinalis thoracis muscles
Labelled image of the longissimus capitis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, and spinalis thoracis muscles
Labelled image of the longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis
Labelled image of the longissimus capitis, and longissimus cervicis
Muscularis longissimus capitis
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image descriptionAttachments of Longissimus Capitis:  Origin & Insertion

Origin: Transverse processes T1 – T5: articular processes of C4 or C5-C7 vertebrae.

Insertion: Posterior portion of the mastoid process of the temporal bone.

Unlabelled image of the muscles of the back
Labelled image of the origin and insertion of the longissimus capitis
Insertion and origin of the longissimus capitis muscle.
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Actions of the Longissimus Capitis Muscle:

  1. Bilateral action image descriptionextends and hyperextends the head.

Learning muscle anatomy is no piece of cake! Simplify your studies with these time-saving muscle anatomy reference charts.

Extensions of neck vertebrae animation slide 4
Extensions of neck vertebrae animation slide 4
Extensions of neck vertebrae animation slide 3
Extensions of neck vertebrae animation slide 2
Extensions of neck vertebrae animation slide 1
Extension of the head.
  1. Unilateral actions: image descriptionlaterally flexes and image descriptionrotates the head to the same side.
Lateral flexion of the head animation slide 1
Lateral flexion of the head animation 2
Lateral flexion of the head animation 3
Lateral flexion of the head 4
Lateral flexion of the head.
Rotation of the head animation slide 1
Rotation of the head animation slide 2
Rotation of the head animation slide 3
Rotation of the slide animation slide 4
Rotation of the head animation slide 5
Rotation of the head.

Nerves Supply to the Longissimus Capitis:

  1. Dorsal rami of the spinal nerves.

Overview of the Muscles of the Back:

Test yourself image with answers hidden
Test yourself image showing answer: semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis, spinalis cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, spinalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum
Test yourself image showing answers: longissimus thoracis, spinalis cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, spinalis thoracis, iliocostalis thoracis.
Test yourself showing answers: longissimus cervicis, iliocostalis cervicis, iliocostalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum
Test yourself image showing answers: longissimus capitis, longissimus cervicis, and longissimus thoracis muscles
Test yourself image showing answers: longissimus capitis, and longissimus cervicis muscles
Test yourself images showing answers: insertion, and origin
Review the muscles of the back and test yourself.
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