Splenius cervicis (Musculus splenius cervicis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The head muscle’s sister linking thoracic vertebrae to the lower cervical spine — narrower and slightly deeper; the posterior scapular vessels cross it on their way to levator scapulae.
Origin & insertion
Spinous processes of T3–T6.
Action
Rotates the neck to its own side and extends it; bilateral contraction extends the cervical spine.
Innervation
Posterior rami of the lower cervical nerves.
Clinical notes
Its referred pain above the ear and around the eye mimics cervicogenic headache; palpated as a deep tender knot below splenius capitis.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Splenius cervicis?
The head muscle’s sister linking thoracic vertebrae to the lower cervical spine — narrower and slightly deeper; the posterior scapular vessels cross it on their way to levator scapulae.
Why is the Splenius cervicis clinically important?
Its referred pain above the ear and around the eye mimics cervicogenic headache; palpated as a deep tender knot below splenius capitis.
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