Splenius capitis muscle
Encyclopedia
The splenius capitis is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from vertebrae in the neck and upper thorax.
of the seventh cervical vertebra, and from the spinous processes of the upper three or four thoracic vertebræ.
The fibers of the muscle are directed upward and lateralward and are inserted, under cover of the Sternocleidomastoideus, into the mastoid process
of the temporal bone
, and into the rough surface on the occipital bone
just below the lateral third of the superior nuchal line.
The splenius is deep to sternocleidomastoideus at the mastoid process, and to the trapezius for its lower portion.
The Splenius Capitis muscle is innervated by the dorsal rami of spinal nerves C3-C4.
Origin, insertion, and Innervation
It arises from the lower half of the ligamentum nuchæ, from the spinous processSpinous process
The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae , and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments. In animals without an erect stance, the process points upward and may slant forward or backward...
of the seventh cervical vertebra, and from the spinous processes of the upper three or four thoracic vertebræ.
The fibers of the muscle are directed upward and lateralward and are inserted, under cover of the Sternocleidomastoideus, into the mastoid process
Mastoid process
The mastoid process is a conical prominence projecting from the undersurface of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. It is located just behind the external acoustic meatus, and lateral to the styloid process...
of the temporal bone
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
, and into the rough surface on the occipital bone
Occipital bone
The occipital bone, a saucer-shaped membrane bone situated at the back and lower part of the cranium, is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself...
just below the lateral third of the superior nuchal line.
The splenius is deep to sternocleidomastoideus at the mastoid process, and to the trapezius for its lower portion.
The Splenius Capitis muscle is innervated by the dorsal rami of spinal nerves C3-C4.