Cervical Spine

Question 1

Upper Trapezius

Answer 1

Origin: Superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance, medial margin of the ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C2-7

Insertion: Lateral one-third of the clavicle and to the acromion

Innervation: Motor - spinal part of the accessory nerve
Sensory - anterior rami of C3 and C4

Function: Elevates the scapula and assists in upward rotation of the scapula during abduction of the humerus above horizontal

Question 2

Deep Cervical Multifidus

Answer 2

Origin: Articular process of C4-C7

Insertion: Base of spinous process of all vertebrae to C2

Innervation: Medial branch of dorsal rami

Function: Stabilizes vertebrae in local movements of the vertebral column.
Global movements - Bilaterally contract to extend the vertebral column Unilaterally contract to produce rotation in opposite direction

Question 3

Superifical Cervical Erector Spinae

Answer 3

Origin: Spinous processes as low as T6-7, angles of the ribs, ligamentum nuchae

Insertion: Mastoid process, occiput below superior nuchal line, transverse processes

Innervation: Segmental

Function: Extend cervical spine and head, rotate cervical spine

Question 4

Splenius Capitis

Answer 4

Origin: Lower half of ligamentum nuchae, spinous processes of C7 to T4

Insertion: Mastoid process, skull below lateral one third of the superior nuchal line

Innervation: Posterior rami of middle cervical nerves

Function: Together draw head backward extending neck; individually rotate to same side

Question 5

Splenius Cervicis

Answer 5

Origin: Spinous processes of T3-T6

Insertion: Transverse processes of C1-3

Innervation: Posterior rami of lower cervical nerves

Function: Together: extend neck Individually: draw and rotate head to same side.

Question 6

Iliocostalis Cervicis

Answer 6

Origin: Angles of ribs 3-6

Insertion: Transverse processes of C4-6

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: The erector spinae act together as the primary extensors of the vertebral column and head
Acting together they straighten the back, re- turning it to neutral from a flexed position
Unilaterally they bend the vertebral column laterally

Question 7

Longissimus Cervicis

Answer 7

Origin: Transverse process of upper four or five vertebrae

Insertion: Transverse process of C2-6

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: Largest subdivsion

Question 8

Spinalis Cervicis

Answer 8

Origin: Lower part of ligamentum nuchae and spinous process- es of C2 (sometimes T1 or T2)

Insertion: Spinous process of C2

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: Smallest of the subdivi- sions
Interconnects the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae. Most constant in thoracic region, can be absent in cervical region where it is associated with the deeper sempispinalis capitis

Question 9

Spinalis Capitis

Answer 9

Origin: Usually blends with semispinalis capitis

Insertion: Usually blends with semispinalis capitis

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: Smallest of the subdivi- sions
Interconnects the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae. Most constant in thoracic region, can be absent in cervical region where it is associated with the deeper sempispinalis capitis

Question 10

Semispinalis Cervicis

Answer 10

Origin: Transverse processes of upper five or six thoracic vertebrae

Insertion: Spinous process of C2-C5

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: Bilaterally: extend the vertebral column;
Individually: turn or rotate in opposite direction

Question 11

Semispinalis Capitis

Answer 11

Origin: Transverse process- es of T1- T6 and C7 articular process of C4-6

Insertion: Medial area between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone

Innervation: Medial branch of the posterior rami of segmental spinal nerves

Function: Bilaterally: pulls the head posteriorly;
Individually: pulls head posteriorly and turns it