Splenius Cervicis

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Superficial intrinsic back muscles Right side posterior view¹

Superficial intrinsic back muscles posterior view¹

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Splenius cervicis	T3-T7 SP	C1-C4 SP	Spinal nn. Posterior rami (lateral br.) C1 - C6	Bilateral: Head and neck extension Unilateral: I/L sidebend, I/L rotation

Origin

T3-T6/T7 (SP)¹

Insertion

C1–C3/4 (TP)¹

Innervation

Spinal nn. C1-C6 (Post rami, lateral branches)¹

Action

• BIL: Extends C/S and head¹
• UNIL: I/L head SB and Rotation¹

Muscle groups

Splenius cervicis is part of the Superficial intrinsic back muscle group

Palpation

Clinical significance

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.