Last update: Nov 17th, 2017

Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Trapezius, Deltoid and Latissimus Dorsi, the visible region of Semispinalis Capitis is highlighted in green.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and a deeper layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Sternocleidomastoid, Semispinalis Capitis (highlighted in green), Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, External Intercostals, Longissimus Thoracis, Spinalis Thoracis and Iliocostalis Thoracis.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and a deeper layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Semispinalis Capitis (highlighted in green), Splenius Capitis, Splenius Cervicis, Semispinalis Thoracis.

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Attachments of the Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

Origin
a. Transverse processes of C7-T6 and articular process of C4-C6.

Insertion
a. Between superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial layer of the attached muscles. The labelled muscles are Trapezius, Deltoid and Latissimus Dorsi, the visible region of Semispinalis Capitis is highlighted in green.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae showing the origin of Semispinalis Capitis at the transverse processes of C7-T6 and articular process of C4-C6 marked by a red circles and insertion between superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone marked by a blue line.

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Actions of the Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

a. Bilaterally extends and hyperextends the head and the neck.

Slide 1 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

Slide 2 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

Slide 3 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

Slide 4 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

Slide 1 of the animation showing the extension of the head.

a. Uniterally rotates the head and the neck to the side opposite the muscle.

Slide 1 of the animation showing rotation of the head opposite to the acting muscle.

Slide 2 of the animation showing rotation of the head opposite to the acting muscle.

Slide 3 of the animation showing rotation of the head opposite to the acting muscle.

Slide 4 of the animation showing rotation of the head opposite to the acting muscle.

Slide 5 of the animation showing rotation of the head opposite to the acting muscle.

Nerve to the Semispinalis Capitis Muscle

a. Dorsal rami of middle and lower cervical spinal nerves.

An overview of the posterior muscles of the neck

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial muscle layer. Muscles are labelled 1-3 and the answers are concealed.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the most superficial muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-3. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Trapezius 2. Deltoid 3. Latissimus Dorsi.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-4. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Supraspinatus 2. Infraspinatus 3. Teres Minor 4. Teres Major.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-4. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Levator Scapula 2. Rhomboids Minor 3. Rhomboids Major 4. Serratus Anterior.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-2. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Serratus Posterior Superior 2. Serratus Posterior Inferior.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-8. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Sternocleidomastoid 2. Semispinalis Capitis 3. Splenius Capitis 4. Splenius Cervicis 5. External Intercostals 6. Longissimus Thoracis 7. Spinalis Thoracis 8. Iliocostalis Thoracis

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-6. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Splenius Capitis 3. Splenius Cervicis 4. Longissimus Thoracis 5. Spinalis Thoracis 6. Iliocostalis Thoracis.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-5. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Splenius Capitis 3. Splenius Cervicis 4. Longissimus Thoracis 5. Spinalis Thoracis.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-4. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Semispinalis Capitis 2. Splenius Capitis 3. Splenius Cervicis 4. Semispinalis Thoracis.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The muscles of the back and neck are labelled 1-3. The answers at the bottom are as follows 1. Suboccipital Muscles 2. Semispinalis Capitis 3. Semispinalis Thoracis.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and the deeper muscle layer. The only muscle labelled 1. Is Semispinalis Capitis.

A quiz image of the posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm and scapulae showing the origin of Semispinalis Capitis at the transverse processes of C7-T6 and articular process of C4-C6 marked by a red circles and insertion between superior and inferior nuchal lines of occipital bone marked by a blue line.

Test yourself while observing the Semispinalis Capitis Muscle.

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