Unique Muscles of the Posterior Neck

Question 1

What muscles lie just beneath the trapezius in the neck?

Answer 1

• splenius capitis

- splenius cervicis

Question 2

What does the word “splenius” mean?

Answer 2

it is the Greek word for bandage

Question 3

What part of the vertebra forms the osseous origin for the splenius?

Answer 3

the spinous process

Question 4

Splenius capitis will attach to what locations on the skull?

Answer 4

• mastoid process of temporal bone

- superior nuchal line of the occipital bone

Question 5

Contraction of splenius capitis will result in what movements?

Answer 5

• lateral flexion of head
• rotation of face to the side
• bilaterally they extend the head

Question 6

What is the innervation of the splenius capitis?

Answer 6

dorsal rami of middle cervical spinal nerves (C3-C5 cord levels)

Question 7

Splenius cervicis will attach to what locations on the spine?

Answer 7

• lateral mass of C1

- posterior tubercle of transverse process on C1-C4

Question 8

Contraction of splenius cervicis will result in what movements?

Answer 8

• lateral flexion and rotation of neck

- bilaterally they extend the neck

Question 9

What is the innervation of the splenius cervicis?

Answer 9

dorsal rami of lower cervical spinal nerves (C5-C7 cord levels)