Unique Muscles of the Posterior Neck Flashcards
What muscles lie just beneath the trapezius in the neck?
- splenius capitis
- splenius cervicis
What does the word “splenius” mean?
it is the Greek word for bandage
What part of the vertebra forms the osseous origin for the splenius?
the spinous process
Splenius capitis will attach to what locations on the skull?
- mastoid process of temporal bone
- superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
Contraction of splenius capitis will result in what movements?
- lateral flexion of head
- rotation of face to the side
- bilaterally they extend the head
What is the innervation of the splenius capitis?
dorsal rami of middle cervical spinal nerves (C3-C5 cord levels)
Splenius cervicis will attach to what locations on the spine?
- lateral mass of C1
- posterior tubercle of transverse process on C1-C4
Contraction of splenius cervicis will result in what movements?
- lateral flexion and rotation of neck
- bilaterally they extend the neck
What is the innervation of the splenius cervicis?
dorsal rami of lower cervical spinal nerves (C5-C7 cord levels)