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The splenius capitis (/ ˈ s p l iː n i ə s ˈ k æ p ɪ t ɪ s /) (from Greek splēníon 'bandage' and Latin caput 'head' [1] [2]) is a broad, straplike muscle in the back of the neck. It pulls on the base of the skull from the vertebrae in the neck and upper thorax. It is involved in movements such as shaking the head.
To it is attached, the splenius capitis muscle, the trapezius muscle, [1] and the occipitalis. [2] From the external occipital protuberance a ridge or crest, the external occipital crest also called the median nuchal line, often faintly marked, descends to the foramen magnum, and affords attachment to the nuchal ligament.
The splenius muscles are: Splenius capitis muscle; Splenius cervicis muscle; Their origins are in the upper thoracic and lower cervical spinous processes. Their actions are to extend and ipsilaterally rotate the head and neck.
This is attached to the posterior tubercle of the atlas, and to the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, and forms a septum between the muscles on either side of the neck. The trapezius and splenius capitis muscle attach to the nuchal ligament.
The mastoid process serves for the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis. On the medial side of the process is a deep groove, the mastoid notch, for the attachment of the digastric muscle ; medial to this is a shallow furrow, the occipital groove , which ...
Several muscles are attached to the outer surface of the squamous part, thus the superior nuchal line gives origin to the occipitalis and trapezius muscles, and insertion to the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles.
The spinal accessory nerve crosses laterally in the middle part of the muscle and the dorsal scapular nerve may lie deep to or pass through it. [4] The levator scapulae may lie deep to the sternocleidomastoid at its origin, deep or adjacent to the splenius capitis at its origin and mid-portion, and deep to the trapezius in its lower portion.
Stretching muscles that cause neck protrusion, especially of the upper fibres of the trapezius muscle. [36] Lower cervical flexors: sternocleidomastoid, anterior and middle scalene muscles. Upper cervical (capital) extensors: semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis, splenius capitis, suboccipital muscles