Splenius capitis muscle
Musculus splenius capitis
- Related terms: Splenius capitis
Definition
Origin: Ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7-T6
Insertion: Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone
Nerve: C3, C4
Action: Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head
Description:
The Splenius capitis arises from the lower half of the ligamentum nuchae, from the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, and from the spinous processes of the upper three or four thoracic vertebrae. The fibers of the muscle are directed upward and lateralward and are inserted, under cover of the Sternocleidomastoideus, into the mastoid process of the temporal bone, and into the rough surface on the occipital bone just below the lateral third of the superior nuchal line
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
