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Splenius Cervicis Muscle

Splenius Cervicis Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Nov 7th, 2022

The splenius cervicis is an upper back muscle that attaches to the neck and spine. It belongs to the intrinsic muscles of the back.

Splenius Cervicis 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.

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, Splenius Cervicis (highlighted in green), 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 Semispinalis Capitis, Splenius Cervicis (highlighted in green) and Semispinalis Thoracis.

Posterior view of the skeleton with the splenius muscle added and labeled.

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Attachments of the Splenius Cervicis Muscle

Origin
a. Spinous processes of T3-T6.

Insertion
a. Transverse processes of C1-C3.

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.

Posterior view of the skeleton with the splenius muscle added and labeled.

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 spinous processes of T3-T6 marked by a red circles and insertion at transverse processes of C1-C3 marked by a blue circles.

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Actions of the Splenius Cervicis 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 Cervicis Muscle

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

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. Semispinalis cervicis, splenius cervicis and semispinalis thoracis muscles are 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 only visible muscle labelled 1. is Splenius Cervicis.

A quiz image of the origin and insertion of the splenius cervicis muscle, answers hidden.

Test yourself while observing the Splenius Cervicis Muscle

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