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The splenius muscles are a group of deep muscles located on the upper back. They are made up of two muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. The name 'splenius' comes from the Latin word for 'patch', and the name of each muscle describes its shape and location. The splenius capitis is located on the head, while the splenius cervicis is found on the neck. Together, these muscles work to extend and rotate the head and neck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of splenius muscles | 2 |
| Names of splenius muscles | Splenius capitis, splenius cervicis |
| Location | Posterior side of the neck |
| Function | Extends and rotates the head and neck |
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What You'll Learn
- The splenius capitis muscle is one of the deep, or intrinsic muscles of the back of the neck
- The splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below the splenius capitis
- The splenius cervicis assists in supporting the head in the erect position
- The splenius muscles appear as if they bandage the paraspinals
- The splenius muscles serve to hold the deeper layers of the paraspinals in position
The splenius capitis muscle is one of the deep, or intrinsic muscles of the back of the neck
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. The splenius capitis is one of the deep, or intrinsic muscles of the back of the neck. It is located in the superficial layer, meaning that it is closer to the surface compared to the rest. The name originates from the Greek word ‘Splenion’ meaning bandage, and the Latin word ‘caput’ meaning head, hence it has a bandage-like appearance. The splenius capitis extends from the spinous processes of the last cervical and first three thoracic vertebrae until the occipital and temporal bones of the skull. As a result, it acts as an extensor and lateral flexor of the neck, and assists with its rotation. The splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below the splenius capitis. It assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation, and when both splenius cervicis muscles contract, they extend the cervical spine. The splenius cervicis also assists in supporting the head in the erect position. The splenius muscles function in balance with the anterior neck muscles.
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The splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below the splenius capitis
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. The splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below the splenius capitis. The name splenius cervicis describes the shape and location of this muscle. 'Splenius' is the Latin word for 'patch', and 'cervicis' comes from the Latin word 'cervix', meaning 'neck'. The splenius cervicis looks like a patch located on the neck.
The splenius capitis is a deep muscle located on the upper back. The name splenius capitis also describes the shape and location of this muscle. As mentioned, 'splenius' is the Latin word for 'patch', and 'capitis' is a Latin word that means 'head'. The splenius capitis extends from the spinous processes of the last cervical and first three thoracic vertebrae until the occipital and temporal bones of the skull.
The splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis work together to help rotate the neck and lower the chin to the chest. This movement is called flexing. The splenius muscles also serve to hold the deeper layers of the back muscles in position. They start at the centre of the spine and together, they form a 'V' shape.
The splenius cervicis assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation. When both splenius cervicis muscles contract, they extend the cervical spine. Bilaterally, they extend the neck, and unilaterally, they laterally flex and rotate the head and neck to the ipsilateral (same) side. The splenius cervicis also assists in supporting the head in the erect position.
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The splenius cervicis assists in supporting the head in the erect position
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. The splenius cervicis assists in supporting the head in the erect position.
The splenius cervicis is one of the deep, or intrinsic, muscles of the cervical and thoracic spine. Its fibres run superiorly and laterally. When both splenius cervicis muscles contract, they extend the cervical spine. The splenius cervicis also assists in supporting the head in the erect position.
The splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below the splenius capitis. The two muscles work together to help rotate the neck and lower the chin to the chest. This movement is called flexing.
The name splenius cervicis describes the shape and location of this muscle. 'Splenius' is the Latin word for 'patch', and 'cervicis' comes from the Latin word 'cervix', meaning 'neck'. The splenius cervicis looks like a patch located on the neck.
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The splenius muscles appear as if they bandage the paraspinals
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. These muscles are located on the posterior side of the neck and make up the superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles. The splenius capitis is a deep muscle located on the upper back, while the splenius cervicis is a smaller muscle located just below it.
The name 'splenius' comes from the Latin word 'splenion', meaning bandage. The splenius muscles appear as if they bandage the paraspinals, which are deeper and comprise the intermediate layer of the intrinsic back muscles. These muscles start at the centre of the spine and together, they form a "V" shape. The splenius muscles serve to hold these deeper layers in position.
The splenius capitis extends from the spinous processes of the last cervical and first three thoracic vertebrae until the occipital and temporal bones of the skull. As a result, it acts as an extensor and lateral flexor of the neck, and assists with its rotation. The splenius cervicis assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation, and when both splenius cervicis muscles contract, they extend the cervical spine.
The splenius muscles function in balance with the anterior neck muscles. They work together to help you rotate your neck and lower your chin to your chest, a movement called flexing.
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The splenius muscles serve to hold the deeper layers of the paraspinals in position
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. These muscles are located on the posterior side of the neck. The splenius cervicis is the smaller of the two, located just below the splenius capitis. The name 'splenius' comes from the Latin word for 'patch', and the name 'cervicis' comes from the Latin word for 'neck'. The splenius capitis, meanwhile, gets its name from the Latin word for 'head'.
The splenius muscles are deep, or intrinsic, muscles of the back of the neck. They are located in the superficial layer, meaning they are closer to the surface compared to the rest. The splenius muscles cover the vertically oriented paraspinals, which are deeper and comprise the intermediate layer of the intrinsic back muscles. The splenius muscles serve to hold these deeper layers in position. They start at the centre of the spine and together, they form a 'V' shape.
The splenius capitis extends from the spinous processes of the last cervical and first three thoracic vertebrae until the occipital and temporal bones of the skull. As a result, it acts as an extensor and lateral flexor of the neck, and assists with its rotation. The splenius cervicis assists in ipsilateral cervical side flexion and rotation, and when both splenius cervicis muscles contract, they extend the cervical spine.
The splenius muscles work in balance with the anterior neck muscles. They also work together to help you rotate your neck and lower your chin to your chest – a movement called flexing.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two splenius muscles: the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis.
'Splenius' comes from the Latin word 'splenion' or 'splenius', meaning 'bandage' or 'patch'.
The splenius muscles are located on the posterior side of the neck.
