Splenius capitis (Musculus splenius capitis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A fleshy band wrapping the back of the neck beneath trapezius like a tight collar, from the spine to the mastoid and occiput; it rotates the head and steadies lateral gaze movements.
Origin & insertion
Lower half of the nuchal ligament and spinous processes of C7–T3.
Action
Rotates the head to its own side and extends it with its contralateral partner; bilateral contraction extends the neck.
Innervation
Posterior rami of the middle cervical nerves (about C3–C4).
Clinical notes
Whiplash tears it at origin producing classic neck stiffness; its referred pain over eye and temple mimics migraine.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Splenius capitis?
A fleshy band wrapping the back of the neck beneath trapezius like a tight collar, from the spine to the mastoid and occiput; it rotates the head and steadies lateral gaze movements.
Why is the Splenius capitis clinically important?
Whiplash tears it at origin producing classic neck stiffness; its referred pain over eye and temple mimics migraine.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details