Splenius capitis muscle 3042538 210272145 2008-05-05T07:22:21Z 213.227.110.69 /* Origin, insertion, and innervation */ {{Muscle infobox | Name = Splenius capitis muscle | Latin = musculus splenius capitis | GraySubject = 115 | GrayPage = 397 | Image = Splenius.png | Caption = Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column. (Splenius capitis et cervicis labeled at upper right.) | Image2 = Gray384.png | Caption2 = Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth [[cervical vertebra]]. Showing the arrangement of the [[fascia coli]]. (Splenius capitis labeled at bottom right.) | Origin = Ligamentum nuchae, spinous process of C7-T6 | Insertion = Mastoid process of temporal and occipital bone | Action = Extend, rotate, and laterally flex the head | Blood = | Nerve = C3, C4 | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = m_22 | DorlandsSuf = 12550912 | }} The '''splenius capitis''' is a muscle of the neck. ==Origin, insertion, and Innervation== It arises from the lower half of the [[ligamentum nuchæ]], from the spinousial process of the seventh [[cervical vertebra]], and from the [[spinous processes]] of the upper three or four [[thoracic vertebræ]]. 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]]. The Splenius Capitis muscle is innervated by the dorsal rami of C1-C8. ==Function== The splenius muscle is a prime mover for head extension. The splenius capitis can also rotate the head by activation of only one side. ==Etymology== The name derives from the Greek word "spléníon," which means plaster or patch. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray129.png|Occipital bone. Outer surface. Image:Gray137.png|Left temporal bone. Outer surface. Image:Gray385.png|Muscles of the neck. Lateral view. </gallery> ==External links== * {{MuscleLoyola|spca}} * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|01|03|01}} - "Superficial layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back." * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|01|05|01}} - "Intermediate layer of the extrinsic muscles of the back, deep muscles." * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|24|01|02}} - "Identification of the muscles associated with the [[posterolateral triangle]]." * {{eMedicineDictionary|Splenius+capitis}} * [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/muscletrunk.html#splenius%20capitis PTCentral] {{Gray's}} {{Muscles_of_trunk}} {{muscle-stub}} [[Category:Muscles of the trunk]] [[de:Musculus splenius]] [[it:Muscolo splenio del capo]] [[ja:頭板状筋]] [[sr:Завојни мишић главе]]