Quick Facts
Origin: Nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7-T3 vertebrae.
Insertion: Mastoid process of temporal bone; lateral one third of superior nuchal line of occipital bone.
Action: Rotates and extends head.
Innervation: Posterior rami of second and third cervical nerves.
Arterial Supply: Descending branch of occipital artery and deep cervical artery.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The splenius capitis muscle originates from the:
- nuchal ligament;
- spinous processes of the seventh cervical to third thoracic vertebrae;
- adjacent supraspinous ligaments.
Insertion
The fibers of the splenius capitis muscle travel superolaterally and insert, via a thick tendon, onto the:
- mastoid process of temporal bone;
- lateral one-third of superior nuchal line of occipital bone.
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
The splenius capitis muscle is one of the two transversospinal muscles, the other being the splenius colli muscle. It is found in the posterior and lateral parts of the neck and is a thin, convergent type of skeletal muscle.
It is located:
- deep to sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and serratus posterior superior muscles;
- superficial to the transversospinal and erector spinae muscles;
- medial to the splenius colli muscle.
Actions
The splenius capitis muscle is involved in multiple actions:
- during unilateral contraction, it rotates the head to the same side at the atlantoaxial joints;
- during bilateral contraction, it extends the head at the atlantooccipital joints (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
