Muscles of the Spinal Joints : Neck and Head

Question 1

What are the muscles of the neck and head?

Answer 1

1. Sternocleidomastoid
2. Scalene Group
3. Prevertebral Group
4. Splenius Capitis
5. Splenius Cervicis
6. Suboccipital Group

Question 2

What is the origin, insertion and actions of Sternocleidomastoid?

Answer 2

O : Manubrium of the sternum and medial clavicle
I : Mastoid Process of the temporal bone
A :
1. Flexes the lower neck at the spinal joints
2. Extends the upper neck and head at the spinal joints
3. Laterally flexes the neck and head at the spinal joints
4. Contralaterally rotates the neck and head at the spinal joints

Question 3

What is the origin, insertion and actions of the Scalene group?

Answer 3

O : Transverse Processes of cervical spine
I : 1st (Ant. and Middle) and 2nd ribs (Post.)
A :
1. Flex the neck at the spinal joints
2. Laterally flex the neck at the spinal joints

Question 4

What is the origin, insertion and actions of Splenius Capitis?

Answer 4

O : Nuchal ligament from C3-C6 and Spinous Processes of C7-T4
I : Mastoid process of the temporal and occipital bone
A :
1. Extends the head and neck at the spinal joints
2. Laterally flexes the head and neck at the spinal joints
3. Ipsilaterally rotates the head and neck at the spinal joints

Question 5

What is the origin, insertion and actions of Splenius Cervicis?

Answer 5

O : Spinous Processes of T3-T6
I : Transverse Processes of C1-C3
A :
1. Extends the neck at the spinal joints
2. Laterally flexes the neck at the spinal joints
3. Ipsilaterally rotates the neck at the spinal joints

Question 6

What are the muscles of the Suboccipital Group?

Answer 6

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major
Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor
Obliquus Capitis Inferior
Obliquus Capitis Superior

Question 7

What is the actions of Rectus Capitis Posterior Major?

Answer 7

Extends the head at the Atlanto Occipital Joint

Question 8

What is the action of Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor?

Answer 8

Protracts the head at the Atlanto Occipital Joint

Question 9

What is the action of Obliquus Capitis Inferior?

Answer 9

Ipsilaterally Rotates the Atlas at the AtlantoAxial Joint

Question 10

What is the action of Obliquus Capitis Superior?

Answer 10

Protracts the head at the Atlanto Occipital Joint