Splenius Cervicis

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Muscles of the Neck and Back
Reading list
  • Trigger points
    • Splenisu cervicis Muscle
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)

Insertion

C1–C3/4 (TP)

Innervation

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

Action

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

Muscle groups

Splenius cervicis is part of the Superficial intrinsic back muscle group

Palpation

Clinical significance

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
3.
Finando D, Finando SJ, Finando D. Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch. Healing Arts Press; 2005.
4.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

Citation

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