Longissimus Cervicis Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The longissimus cervicis is a long intrinsic muscle of the back that belongs to the erector spinae group.

image descriptionLongissimus Cervicis:

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

Origin: Transverse processes T1 to T5.

Insertion: Transverse processes of C2 to C6 vertebrae.

Unlabelled image of the muscles of the back
Labelled image of the origin and insertion of the longissimus cervicis.
Origin and insertion of the longissimus capitis muscle.
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Actions of the Longissimus Cervicis Muscle:

  1. Bilateral action: image descriptionextends and hyperextends the neck vertebrae.

Muscle anatomy is hard! Save time learning and simplify your studies with these 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 neck vertebrae.
  1. Unilateral actions: image descriptionlaterally flexes the neck vertebrae 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 neck vertebrae.

Nerve Supply to Longissimus Cervicis:

  1. dorsal rami of the thoracic spinal nerves.

Overview of the Muscles of the Back:

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