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Splenius capitis
Other Terms:
Musculus splenius capitis,
Muscle splénius de la tête
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus splenius capitis
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Epaxial muscle – Spinotransversales
Etymology
The English name of this muscle is the bandage muscle of the head. The word splenius is Latin for “patch or plaster,” and this comes from the Greek splenion meaning “a bandage.”The word capitis comes from the Latin caput meaning “head.”
Origin
Lower half of ligamentum nuchae (C4 to C6) and spinous processes of C7 to T4
Insertion
Mastoid process and rough surface adjoining occipital bone
Action
Bilaterally they extend the head and neck; unilaterally they laterally flex the head and neck and rotate the head to the same side.
Nerve supply
Dorsal rami of cervical spinal nerves (C3, 4, 5, and 6)
Blood supply
Muscular branches of the occipital artery from the external carotid artery.
Latin
Musculus splenius capitis
French
Muscle splénius de la tête