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Splenius Capitis Muscle

Splenius Capitis Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 24th, 2022

The splenius capitis muscle is an intrinsic back muscle and extends from the cervical vertebrae to the skull.

Splenius 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 portion of Splenius Capitis is highlighted but not labelled.

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, Splenius Capitis (highlighted in green), 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 the deepest layer of the back and neck muscles. The labelled muscles are Splenius Capitis (highlighted in green) and Splenius Cervicis.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and isolated Splenius Capitis.

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Attachments of the Splenius Capitis Muscle

Origin
a. Inferior half of ligamentum nuchae (C3-C6) and spinous processes of C7-T3 (possibly down to T6)

Insertion
a. Superior nuchal line of occipital bone and mastoid process of temporal 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 portion of Splenius Capitis is highlighted but not labelled.

Posterior view of the occipital region of the skull, cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal column, upper arm, scapulae and isolated Splenius Capitis.

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 Cervicis at the inferior half of ligamentum nuchae (C3-C6) and spinous processes of C7-T3 (possibly down to T6) marked by a red circles and insertion at superior nuchal line of occipital bone and mastoid process of temporal bone marked by a blue line.

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Actions of the Splenius Capitis Muscle

a. Bilaterally extends head and neck.

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

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

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

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

Slide 5 of the animation showing the extension of head and neck.

b. Unilaterally laterally flexes head and neck to same side.

Slide 2 of the animation showing lateral flexion of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 3 of the animation showing lateral flexion of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 4 of the animation showing lateral flexion of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 5 of the animation showing lateral flexion of head and neck to the same side.

c. Unilaterally rotates head and neck to same side.

Slide 1 of the animation showing rotation of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 2 of the animation showing rotation of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 3 of the animation showing rotation of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 4 of the animation showing rotation of head and neck to the same side.

Slide 5 of the animation showing rotation of head and neck to the same side.

Nerve to the Splenius Capitis Muscle

a. Dorsal primary rami of spinal nerves C2-C6.

An Overview of the Posterior Neck Muscles

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 a skeleton on a posterior view with the semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis and spinalis thoracis muscles labeled

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 only visible muscle labelled 1. is Splenius 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 Cervicis at the inferior half of ligamentum nuchae (C3-C6) and spinous processes of C7-T3 (possibly down to T6) marked by a red circles and insertion at uperior nuchal line of occipital bone and mastoid process of temporal bone marked by a blue line.

Test yourself while observing the Splenius Capitis Muscle

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